HC Deb 02 May 1991 vol 190 cc329-30W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many post-mortem tests are carried out each year on the eyeballs of bovines suspected of treatments with beta agonist drugs.

Mr. Hanley

Post-mortem tests concentrate on liver, as this is the edible tissue in which the highest levels of residue are found relative to the rest of the carcase. It also gives the most consistent results. The potential use of other tissue is being studied.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in which part of an affected animal have residues of beta agonist drugs most frequently been found by official inspections in the past 12 months.

Mr. Hanley

Residues of beta agonists have been found most frequently in the liver.