§ Ms SouthworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what conclusions he has reached on the recommendations made by the Advisory Committee for the Microbiological Safety of Food in their report on Microbial Antibiotic Resistance in relation to food safety which was published in August 1999. [116483]
§ Ms StuartThe Government have given careful consideration to all the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food and have accepted those that call for Government action. For the other recommendations, the regulations that are already in place or the activities that are under way have been outlined in the Government's response.
711WThe response to the report highlights the importance the Government attach to the issue of antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, it indicates the considerable amount of work that is already under way in this field to prevent, reduce or delay the development of antimicrobial resistance in food-producing animals. This includes a number of research and development projects in this area, funding for which will amount to £3.7 million over the next three years. The results from these projects will direct future policy decisions and thus further minimise the risk to public health.
Copies of the Government's response have been placed in the Library.