§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessments he has made of the implications for animal welfare of the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin on cows. [87610]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 22 June 1999]A Working Group of the independent Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) has considered human and animal safety aspects of the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin in dairy cows. The Group has reported to the VPC and the VPC will advise Ministers when it has considered the report. Also, the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC), which also provides independent advice to Ministers, reported on the Welfare of Dairy Cattle in 1997. The report covers the subject of rBST and copies were placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the relationship between levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 in milk from cows which have been injected with recombinant bovine somatotropin and the incidence of breast and prostate cancers in humans; and if he will make a statement. [87609]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 22 June 1999]I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Steen) on 14 June 1999,Official Report, column 25.