HC Deb 21 March 1991 vol 188 cc225-6W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the reasons for the imposition of the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Lead in Cattle) (England) Order 1991 which was made on 6 March, giving the origins of the contamination and the number of cattle involved; and whether he expects an increase in the number of farms affected.

Mr. Gummer

These restrictions were introduced by an order made under part I of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 to protect consumers by preventing the marketing of contaminated food following an outbreak of lead poisoning among a group of 80 dairy cattle on a farm in Devon. The source of contamination has been traced to an old car battery which had been inadvertently incorporated into a silage clamp. No other farms are affected.