HC Deb 15 October 1990 vol 177 cc762-3W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to introduce further controls on the use of mineral hydrocarbons in veterinary medicines, pesticides or food additives.

Mr. Maclean

Our intention to prohibit the remaining uses of mineral hydrocarbons in food following the advice of the Food Advisory Committee and the Committee on Toxicity was announced to the House on 9 February 1989, at column781. Proposals to amend the Mineral Hydrocarbons in Food Regulations 1966 [...]were subsequently issued for public comment. The comments received are currently under consideration and I shall make a further announcement on the outcome as soon as possible.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library the report of the committee on toxicology on mineral hydrocarbons.

Mr. Maclean

In this instance the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) did not produce a report. Its findings were passed directly to the Food Advisory Committee, which in turn advised me of its recommendations. However, the considerations on which the COT based its advice were published in a consultation letter to interested parties on 9 February 1989. I have arranged for a copy of this letter to be lodged in the Library.

Forward to