HL Deb 09 July 2002 vol 637 cc83-4WA
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many cases of nitrofen have been identified in animal feed in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and [4658]

What measures the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is taking to prevent the importation of nitrofen-contaminated animal feed. [HL4659]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

We are advised by the Food Standards Agency that there have been no cases of nitrofen contamination identified in animal feed in the United Kingdom in the past five years.

The Food Standards Agency is closely monitoring the case of nitrofen contamination of animal feed in Germany, which is thought to be an isolated incident. At a recent emergency meeting in Brussels of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, Germany reported that no contaminated feed was sent to the UK. The European Commission is keeping the situation under constant review and keeping member states fully informed under the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed.

The Food Standards Agency has alerted the UK feed industry to check any feed obtained from Germany for nitrofen. The Food Standards Agency will continue to monitor the position.