§ Sir Hal MillerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Government will respond to the first report of the Agriculture Committee, "Salmonella in Eggs"; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe Government welcome the Committee's lucid analysis of the extent and implications of the problem of salmonella in eggs. In particular the372W Government consider that the Committee's very thorough report has put the problem into the correct perspective by refuting the more extreme and alarmist impressions.
The Government also welcome the Committee's endorsement of our comprehensive campaign to control the disease and achieve the best possible standards in our egg industry. The response gives further details of measures, which we are taking to ensure the maximum possible degree of safety at every point in the chain from the poultry breeder to the kitchen table. Salmonella is a worldwide problem and no other country, to the best of our knowledge, has pursued such a vigorous campaign to combat it.
The Government are grateful to the Agriculture Committee for the valuable contribution its report has made towards this campaign.