§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about separating milk from cows being treated with bovine somatotropin while field trials are carried out; what replies he has given; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonI have received a number of representations. My replies have explained that the safety of BST was carefully established before certificates to hold the field trials were granted. Milk from cows treated with BST is entirely safe, so there is no reason for it to be treated differently.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the recommendations of the veterinary products committee on the possible licensing of bovine somatotropin.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe veterinary products committee will be in a position to make recommendations when the companies manufacturing bovine somatotropin have generated and submitted all data necessary to support their product licence applications and these have been assessed.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations Her Majesty's Government have had from the veterinary products committee about the use of certain BST products on cows; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonI have referred to the veterinary products committee several applications from companies interested in developing and marketing BST products for use in milk production. Following the committee's advice that the data relating to the products' safety and quality are satisfactory, permission for field trials has been granted.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has received about the health consequences of the use of BST in milk production; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe advice that I have received is that BST is safe for use in milk production.