HC Deb 16 October 1996 vol 282 cc930-1W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many of the advisers and consultants who advised his Department on policy and regulatory requirements in relation to the composition of animal feed were(a) full-time Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food officials, (b) part-time Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food officials or (c) outside appointment; [32329]

(2) if he will list the names of the advisers and consultancies who advised his Department on policy and regulatory requirements in relation to the composition of animal feed in each year since 1986. [32328]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answer 17 June 1996]: The information requested on all advisors and consultants including Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food officials could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The interdepartmental Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs advises on the composition and labelling of feedingstuffs. Eleven of its members are full-time officials—including technical experts—of MAFF or its agencies and five members are full-time officials of other Government Departments. The interdepartmental group on new feed developments reviews new developments concerning animal feed materials, manufacturing processes and animal feeding practices. It also draws its expertise from officials in MAFF and other Government Departments.

The Veterinary Products Committee and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee provide independent expert advice on certain aspects of the composition of animal feedingstuffs.

Independent committees which have completed their work are the working party on bovine spongiform encephalopathy—the Southwood committee—and the Consultative Committee on Research into Spongiform Encephalopathies—the Tyrrell committee. In addition, the expert group on animal feedingstuffs under the Chairmanship of Professor Eric Lamming reviewed the regulatory framework covering the animal feed industry and reported in 1992.

I will write separately to the hon. Member with membership details of the independent committees and the expert group.