HC Deb 15 January 1990 vol 165 cc129-30W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to ban the use of head meat from bovine animals whose crania have been opened for the purpose of brain removal.

Mr. Maclean

The offal ban prohibits the use of brains for human food but allows meat from bovine heads to be utilised. It is not my intention to change this policy. Whatever method is used to remove the brain every precaution should be taken, in all circumstances, to avoid cross-contamination of the meat.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the risk of cross-contamination from bovine brains of the use of head meat from bovine animals as a result of abattoir practices.

Mr. Maclean

It is incumbent on operators and enforcement authorities at all times to ensure that cross-contamination is avoided from any source during the preparation of meat for human consumption. Brains from adult cattle may not enter the human food chain and the risk of cross-contamination where the crania has been split is extremely small so long as good hygienic practices are followed. The Southwood working party concluded that the risk to humans from BSE is remote.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he gives to environmental health officers about the danger of cross-contamination from animal brains on to other head meat as a result of abattoir practices.

Mr. Maclean

My staff are always available to advise environmental health officers on hygienic practices. The advice will depend on the circumstances of the case.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has had from producers in relation to the policy of environmental health officers from Carrick district council and other authorities in the south-west to prevent the use of head meat from bovine animals whose crania have been opened for the purpose of brain removal.

Mr. Maclean

I am not aware of any such representations.