HC Deb 01 December 1997 vol 302 cc16-8W
Mr. Paice

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of the Agenda 2000 proposals on the costs of poultry production. [18385]

Mr. Rooker

Agenda 2000 contains no proposals which relate directly to poultry production. Feed costs, however, form a significant proportion of total poultry production costs and Agenda 2000 contains proposals to reduce cereal support prices by 20 per cent. from current levels. To the extent that cereal market prices also fall, feed costs will be reduced.

Mr. Paice

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of UK poultry meat production is sold(a) fresh in (i) oven ready and (ii) New York dressed form and (b) frozen. [18375]

Mr. Rooker

The information requested is not available.

Mr. Paice

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many tonnes of chicken meat were produced by United Kingdom producers in 1996 from(a) broiler and (b) other systems; [18383]

(2) how many tonnes of turkey meat were produced by UK producers in 1996 from (a) intensive, (b) semi-intensive and (c) free range systems; [18384]

(3) what tonnage of poultry meat was produced by UK producers in 1996; and how much was imported from (a) EU countries and (b) non-EU countries. [18382]

Mr. Rooker

In 1996, 1,450 thousand tonnes of poultry meat were produced by UK producers, 244 thousand tonnes were imported from EC countries and 18 thousand tonnes were imported from non EC countries.

In 1996, 1,065 thousand tonnes of meat were produced from broilers and 54 thousand tonnes of meat were produced from other chickens.

In 1996, 293 thousand tonnes of turkey meat were produced by UK producers. No information is available on the systems by which turkeys are housed.

Mr. Paice

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the UK per capita consumption of(a) eggs, (b) chicken meat and (c) turkey meat in the latest year for which figures are available; and what were the equivalent figures for (i) five and (ii) 10 years previously. [18386]

Mr. Rooker

Per capita consumption of eggs, chicken and turkey in Great Britain as measured by purchases for consumption at home is given in the following table.

Grams per person per week (except for eggs)
Purchases of: 1986 1991 1996
Eggs (number) 3.01 2.25 1.87
Chicken 174 183 191
Turkey 21 16 38
Pre-cooked poultry1 11 14 23
1 Not in cans.

These estimates exclude consumption outside of the home and consumption in the form of processed products. To help complete the picture, the following table provides details of total usage, derived as total UK production plus imports less exports and adjusted for stock changes.

UK usage of 1986 1991 1996
Eggs (million Dozen 869 853 813
Total Poultrymeat (000 Tonnes) 986 1,256 1,539
Chicken meat (000 Tonnes) n/a n/a 1,220
Turkey meat (000 Tonnes) n/a n/a 286
n/a = not available.

It should be stated that poultry meat figures are carcase weight equivalent, whereas the per capita consumption estimates above relate to the actual weight purchased.

Mr. Paice

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy regarding the(a) disposal and (b) usage of poultry offal. [18387]

Mr. Rooker

The Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 set out the requirements for the handling of poultry offal in licensed premises. Stringent hygiene requirements apply to all fresh meat, including offal, which is destined for human consumption.

The EC Poultrymeat Marketing Regulations (Council Regulation 1906/90 with detailed rules set out in Commission Regulation 1538/91) allow the sale of giblets in the carcase of a whole bird when sold provided that this is indicated on the label.

Enforcement officers carry out checks in licensed and unlicensed poultry premises under this legislation and also the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 to ensure that all food produced is fit for human consumption.

The Animal By-Products Order 1992, as amended, and the Diseases of Animals (Waste Food) Order 1973, as amended, set out the requirements for the processing and disposal of offals which are not intended for human consumption. This legislation is currently under review and any proposals will be the subject of consultation in the normal way.

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