HC Deb 23 March 1995 vol 257 cc335-6W
Mr. Barnes

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish information held in his Department and all readings for levels of sulphur, molydenum, fluorides and dioxins at the farm of Wareing Bros., the Breck, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield, Derbyshire since 1984. [14557]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answer 22 March 1995]: The results of investigations undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on behalf of individual farmers are not published for reasons of commercial confidentiality. The Ministry, as part of its own investigations, took samples of milk for dioxin analysis in April 1991 and May 1993 from several farms in the Bolsover and Staveley areas, including the Breck. The Ministry published the results of these surveys for dioxins in August 1992 and May 1993 respectively. Mr. M. J. Wareing was informed of the dioxin levels in the samples which he provided.

Mr. Barnes

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make assessments and publish a report on investigations undertaken by the veterinary investigation service, ADAS, the alkali inspector, HM inspectorate of pollution and environmental health officers into the farm of Wareing Bros., the Breck, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, since 1984. [14560]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answer 22 March 1995]: No, reports on the investigations carried out by the veterinary investigation service and ADAS, as for similar investigations into individual animal disease outbreaks, contain information which is inappropriate for disclosure on commercial confidentiality and other grounds. The alkali inspector, HM inspectorate of pollution and environmental health officers are not a part of MAFF and it is up to those organisations to decide whether to make any information they hold public.

Mr. Barnes

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the records he holds on cattle reared on the farm of Wareing Bros., the Breck, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, since 1984, including details of stillborn calves, calves born with eye defects and cattle which have not been able to be sold directly to market since the introduction of the Animals, Meat and Meat Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) Regulation 1991. [14561]

Mrs. Angela Browning

[holding answer 22 March 1995]: No, reports on the investigations carried out by the veterinary investigation service, as for similar investigations into individual animal disease outbreaks, contain information which is inappropriate for disclosure on commercial confidentiality and other grounds.

Mr. Barnes

To ask the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make assessments and publish a report on the impact of sulphurs, molydenum, fluorides and dioxins on crops, soil, cattle, residents and workers at the farm of Wareing Bros., the Breck, Barrow Hill Chesterfield, Derbyshire and in its vicinity; and if he will take steps to recommend a spray programme for the crops and fodder at the farm. [14562]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answer 22 March 1995]: It is appropriate for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to undertake such assessments only if issues of public concern such as food safety are involved. No evidence exists to indicate that this is the Breck or other farms in its vicinity as, for example, the levels of dioxins in cows milk taken from the Breck in April 1991 and May 1993 were within the normal background range for milk in the UK. It is not the Ministry's responsibility to provide advice on a spray programme for crops and fodder on the Breck as this information is available from commercial consultants.