§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received over the new arrangements for the testing of imported eggs for salmonella which(a) allege that the safeguards are inadequate or (b) propose that the importer, rather than the taxpayer should pay the cost of testing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonI have received a considerable number of representations about the arrangemens for testing imported eggs for salmonella. However, I am advised that the sampling rate of 60 eggs per lorry load is adequate to enable the risk of infection from imports to be established. There are no powers to charge importers for testing under the Imported Food Regulations 1984.