§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what controls exist over the safety and contents of pet food; what steps he takes to ensure dogmeat is not included in dog food; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerThe safety of pet foods is required by sections 73 and 73A of the Agriculture Act 1970. Controls on the contents are contained in the Feedingstuffs Regulations 1988 (as amended). These controls require the ingredients used to be declared either individually or according to specific categories. Enforcement of the regulations has produced no reason to believe that dogmeat has been used as an ingredient. Indeed, my information is that pet food manufacturers maintain strict quality controls and that the meat they use is from food animals passed as fit for human consumption.