HC Deb 11 May 1988 vol 133 cc165-6W
Mr. Gareth Wardell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department has any evidence of morbidity in babies resulting from the drinking of milk from animals treated with bovine somatotropin.

Mr. Donald Thompson

My Department has no such evidence.

Mr. Colvin

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the trials being carried out at the AFRC Institute for grassland and animal production on bovine somatotropin will be completed; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Field trials on bovine somatotropin (and all other medicinal products) must be conducted under the authority of an animal test certificate issued under the Medicines Act 1968. Such certificates are granted for two years but are normally renewable. I cannot, at this stage, therefore, give a completion date.

Mr. Colvin

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is yet in a position to draw up guidelines for the commercial administration of bov:ine somatotropin, including monitoring of performance and health.

Mr. Donald Thompson

We are not yet in a position to draw up such guidelines.