§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to prohibit the incorporation of animal residues in poultry feeding compounds.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonI have no plans to do so.
The Protein Processing Order 1981 requires all animal protein including animal residues, for incorporation into poultry feedingstuffs to be manufactured free from salmonella contamination. My officials routinely inspect all plants producing such protein to ensure that this requirement is met. In addition discussions are underway on a code of practice aimed at reducing the risk of the contamination of final feedingstuffs by salmonella.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is his estimate of the increase in costs of producing a bacon pig if the use of animal protein in pig feed compounds were banned;
(2) what is his estimate of the increase in costs of producing one dozen eggs if the use of animal protein in poultry feed were banned in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonAt present prices of animal and vegetable protein, it appears that the effect on production costs of substituting vegetable protein for the use of animal protein (other than fish meal) in feed would be small. However, the effect of a ban on the use of animal protein (other than fish meal) on the price of vegetable protein is difficult to determine and a firm estimate of increased costs both in feed and environmental terms and who would bear these costs cannot be estimated.