HC Deb 23 March 1999 vol 328 cc216-7W
Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how much money was(a) spent in 1989–90 to 1997–98 and (b) allocated in 1998–99 by each individual local authority on the sampling and analysis of animal feeding stuffs in relation to statutory duties to enforce the provisions of the law controlling animal feeding stuffs; [77500]

(2) how much money was (a) spent between 1989–90 and 1997–98 and (b) allocated in 1998–99 by each local authority on the sampling and analysis of animal feeding stuffs for veterinary medicaments in relation to statutory duties to enforce the provisions of the law controlling animal feeding stuffs. [77501]

Mr. Rooker

The information requested is not available.

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers he has to direct local authorities properly to discharge their duties under the Agriculture Act 1970 in relation to the taking and submitting for analysis of samples of animal feeding stuffs. [77515]

Mr. Rooker

The powers to direct local authorities to discharge properly their duties in respect of sampling and analysis of animal feeding stuffs can be found at section 67, of Part IV of the Agriculture Act 1970.

Under section 67 of Part IV of the Agriculture Act 1970, the Minister can obtain a report from each enforcement authority on the way the legislation is being enforced in its area. This report can include information supplied by the agricultural analyst to the authority. If this Part of the Act is not enforced sufficiently, by an enforcement authority, the Minister can appoint one or more inspectors to undertake the enforcement duties of that authority. Such costs shall be repaid by the enforcement authority.

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Government consulted the Association of Public Analysts about the proposed transfer of the duty to sample animal feeding stuffs for analysis for veterinary medicines from local authorities to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. [77521]

Mr. Rooker

Yes. A wide range of interests, including the Association of Public Analysts, was consulted by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate on 10 October 1997 about proposals for the Medicated Feedingstuffs Regulations 1998.

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the duty to sample animal feedingstuffs for analysis for veterinary medicines was transferred from local authorities to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. [77520]

Mr. Rooker

Responsibility transferred to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain on 6 May 1998, when the Medicated Feedingstuffs Regulations 1998 came into force.