§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he proposes to take to prevent the sale of peanuts contaminated with aflatoxin as food for wild birds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierExisting controls on foodstuffs for domestic animals and birds, for which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is responsible, do not extend to materials supplied for feeding to wild birds. However, there are voluntary initiatives by the pet food trade aimed at preventing the supply of aflatoxin contaminated peanuts as wild bird food. My Department is shortly to discuss with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further action, if any, may be required.