§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many anti—hormone units his Ministry has set up to detect excessive hormones in(a) beef, (b) sheep and (c) other livestock production; and if he will make a statement. [31212]
§ Mrs BrowningSurveillance for the use of hormonal growth promoters is carried out under the statutory national surveillance scheme for residues in meat. During 1994, 3,941 samples were taken from cattle, 357 from sheep and 390 from other livestock and tested for the presence of hormones. For the third consecutive year, no evidence was found of the use of stilbenes or thyrostatic substances, which are banned under Community legislation. Eleven samples of cattle serum taken on farm were found to have elevated levels of the natural hormone testosterone present, but subsequent investigation established that no illegal use had taken place.
The results of sampling carried out under the national surveillance scheme and other non-statutory surveillance programmes for veterinary residues are published quarterly in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, VMD, MAVIS newsletter and summarised in the VMD, annual report and accounts. Copies of both publications are available in the Library of the House.