§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to validate safety tests in the USA and Canada on Monsanto's genetically engineered bovine growth hormone recombinant bovine somatotropin prior to consideration of its approval in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [73259]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 25 February 1999]The use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) is subject to a European Union moratorium, which is likely to be reviewed before it expires on 31 December. There could be no unilateral decision in the UK to approve its use. I have asked the Veterinary Products Committee to review recent scientific evidence, including evidence from the USA and Canada, on the safety of rBST in order to inform the Government in preparation for EU discussions on the moratorium.