HL Deb 23 January 1996 vol 568 cc67-8WA
Lord Pearson of Rannoch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What stage has European Community legislation reached which affects or might affect:

  1. (a) the British lettuce growing industry
  2. (b) the London double decker bus and British midi-bus;
  3. (c) British vets when treating horses; or
  4. (d) those who use Emtryl when rearing game birds in the United Kingdom.

Lord Lucas

(a) We continue to oppose the European Commission's proposals to set statutory limits for nitrate in certain vegetables, including lettuce, on the grounds that there is no scientific evidence that they would improve the safety of food for the UK consumer. Following our sustained and vigorous representation, the Commission has recently issued for discussion a revised proposal which has taken on board many of the UK's concerns.

(b) The Commission is expected to make a formal proposal for a bus and coach construction directive to complete the single market in bus and coach manufacturing early this year. The UK will continue to argue for existing vehicle types, including double deck buses and midi-buses, to be protected.

(c) Under Council Regulation (EEC) 2377/90 there is a requirement to establish EU wide Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for veterinary medicines which are used in the treatment of food producing animals, to ensure that the consumer is not exposed to harmful residues in food. In an EU context the horse is regarded as a food producing animal, but the European Commission has confirmed that, in line with UK policy, if a horse is not destined for human consumption MRLs are not required. Where no MRLs have been established, therefore, we require that the product should be clearly marked as not to be used on any animal that is intended for human consumption. The Commission has also emphasised that it is not the intention of regulatory authorities to deny veterinarians the possibility of treating animals.

(d) Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1798/95, which adds dimetridazole (the active ingredient of Emtryl) to Annex IV of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2377/90, was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 26 July 1995. It came into effect 60 days after publication.

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