§ Baroness Carnegy of Lourasked Her Majesty's Government:
If they will give their reasons for withdrawing funds from the work at the Institute of Food Research on the microbial populations in the gut as a method of controlling salmonella in poultry.
§ Baroness TrumpingtonWork on competitive exclusion at Bristol, which has been in progress for more than a decade, has reached the point where successful trials have been carried out in commercial production units. Following appraisal by representatives of MAFF and AFRC, it was recognised that the principle of competitive exclusion has been established as a method of control relevant to salmonella in poultry. It was concluded that the technique was ready for adoption by industry under appropriate circumstances and with suitable safeguards to prevent the introduction or spread of disease. Major poultry firms are aware of this work at Bristol. It is for industry to decide whether to adopt the technique for commercial application.
I have now received the report of a joint MAFF, DoH and British Egg Industry Council working group report on salmonella and eggs dealing with research into this area and am considering its recommendations urgently. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.
We are already funding an extensive programme of research relevant to control of salmonella in poultry which is listed below.