§ Sir Gerard VaughanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on the use of bovine somatotropin to boost milk production; and if he has any plans to amend the Medicines Act 1968 so as to provide for greater control over the use of such substances.
§ Mr. MacleanThe Scrutiny Committee has recommended that a European Commission proposal to ban the use of BST until the end of 1990 should be debated. and arrangements are in hand. Meanwhile the scientific assessment of BST continues with the assistance of data generated in authorised field trials here and in other countries. The Medicines Act already provides strict safeguard controls by requiring that such substances must be licensed and that they must first be demonstrated to be both safe and effective in use. I have no plans to amend the Act.