§ Mr. WalterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the use of digestive enhancers in the poultry industry. [61890]
§ Mr. RookerThere are currently five antimicrobial growth promoters permitted by EC legislation for use in poultry or chickens for fattening. They are bacitracin zinc, spiramycin, virginiamycin, flavophospholipol and avilamycin. The European Commission has proposed a ban on bacitracin zinc, spiramycin and virginiamycin with effect from 1 January 1999. The proposal is due to be considered in the Commission's Standing Committee on Animal Nutrition today.