§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on public health of the methods used in the farming of salmon. [136562]
§ Ms Stuart[holding answer 6 November 2000]: There is currently no evidence to suggest that salmon farming methods affect the health of farm workers or the wider community here, or in other countries where salmon are farmed. Furthermore, European Community legislation requires monitoring for a wide range of chemical residues in both wild and aquacultured fish. The situation is constantly monitored and salmon are tested for both unlicensed residues and residues of licensed medicines in line with European Union legislation. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate in Surrey collates this information.