27. Mr. Alan W. WilliamsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the trials at present being conducted, any consideration has been given to whether bovine somatotrophin products could be labelled as such at the point of sale.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonMilk from cows involved in the trials is identical over the lactation to that from untreated cows. It is not necessary to treat it differently from other milk.
§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from consumer organisations concerning the use of bovine somatotrophin in the dairy herd; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonI have received a considerable number of letters from both consumer organisations and individuals who are generally opposed to the use of BST. The product was fully assessed for safety before the current trials were authorised. I see no justification for any ban on its use.
§ 38. Mr. LivseyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on criteria for the approval of farms for the bovine somatotrophin trial in the British dairy industry.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThat is a matter for the holder of the animal test certificate and the farmer concerned.