HC Deb 09 February 1990 vol 166 cc824-5W
Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will list in theOfficial Report, those food research projects which the Agriculture and Food Research Council will cease to fund as a result of the planned closure of the Bristol laboratory of the Institute of Food Research; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for such rationalisation of projects.

Mr. Curry

The food research projects listed are those being carried out at IFR Bristol which have been identified as near market, that is, suitable for industrial support. Their funding by my Department is being phased out in 1989–90 during 1990–91.

  1. 1. Effects of poultry breeding, husbandry, handling and processing on carcase composition and quality.
  2. 2. Effects of breeding, husbandry, plant operations on processing quality turkey meat.
  3. 3. Effects of frozen storage on quality and processing (meat)
  4. 4. Carcase characteristics that determine value.
  5. 5. Define processing conditions for optimum and consistent quality in meat products.
  6. 6. Factors controlling meat restructuring processes.
  7. 7. Protein solubilisation and adhesion of reformed meats.
  8. 8. Heat and mass transfer in meat refrigeration.
  9. 9. Temperature and mass change in meat cooking.
  10. 10. Electrical stimulation, hot boning and accelerated ageing.
  11. 11. Electrical stimulation, hot boning and processing properties of beef, pork and poultry.
  12. 12. Meat process engineering.
  13. 13. Robotics in meat handling and processing.
  14. 14. Quality control, robotic vision and meat grading by video image analysis and fibre optics.
  15. 15. Industrial developments and technology transfer.
  16. 16. Carcase composition and meat quality in cattle.
  17. 17. Carcase composition and meat quality in sheep.
  18. 18. Techniques for assessment of carcase composition.
  19. 19. Effects of pre-slaughter handling practices on value of carcase and fresh meat.
  20. 20. Packaging techniques for improved storage and display.

Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will specify the measures he is taking to ensure that public interest research and development on the safety and quality of foods, particularly meat and meat products, will not be diminished as a result of the closure of the Bristol laboratory of the Institute of Food Research in December 1990.

Mr. Curry

Public interest research and development on the safety of food is under way at the Norwich and Reading laboratories of the Institute of Food Research and will be increased following the reorganisation of the institute. In addition, MAFF is commissioning relevant work at Food Research Association and university departments. Food safety research of relevance to the meat industry is also being undertaken by the Ministry's own central veterinary laboratory and by the public health laboratory service.

Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has had, or proposes to have, with representations of consumer interests, the food manufacturing industry, the food retailing industry, and farmers, over the arrangements he is making to ensure that public interest research and development into the safety and quality of food, particularly meat and meat products, will be retained after the closure of the Bristol laboratory of the Institute of Food Research.

Mr. Curry

The research consultative committee on food safety and applied nutrition which consists of representatives from consumer interests and the food manufacturing and the food retailing industries, recently reported to the Priorities Board on the priorities for public interest research in the safety of food, including meat, and discussions are under way with a wide range of contractors to implement these recommendations. This followed consultations with outside organisations, including the food manufacturing and the food retailing industries, on the priorities for food microbiology research in 1988–89. As a consequence, the Ministry commissioned a major strategic initiative in the area of food microbiology research and development at various institutes throughout the United Kingdom.

Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he anticipates that there will be any diminution of the quantity or quality of United Kingdom-based research into(a) food irradiation, (b) micro-wave treatments, (c) exclusion of salmonella from chickens, and (d) the growth of listeria in foods, as a result of the closure of the Bristol laboratory of the Institute of Food Research.

Mr. Curry

No. Research on these issues will continue to be carried out as necessary at the IFR's other sites at Norwich and Reading and at other research institutions.

Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what United Kingdom resources capable of monitoring the safety of the food processes of(a) cook-chill and (b) ready meal production on a scale appropriate to industrial conditions will remain following the closure of the Bristol laboratory of the Institute of Food Research.

Mr. Curry

Facilities for carrying out research and monitoring current conditions on the safety of cook-chill and other ready meal products exist at Leatherhead Food Research Association, Campden Food and Drink Research Association, Huddersfield polytechnic, Sheffield polytechnic and the Dorset Institute of Higher Education. The Ministry is funding work at some of these establishments in the fields in question and recognises the existent expertise.