§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many game birds have been tested for dimetridazole in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what proportion of them had unacceptable dimetridazole levels. [69025]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 11 July 2002]No residue of dimetridazole is considered acceptable in a food producing animal. Since 1997 the Veterinary Medicines Directorate has tested 272 samples from game birds. In 1997 dimetridazole residues were detected in four samples. Since then there have been no residues of dimetridazole detected in game birds. The following table sets out these figures in detail.
Year Number of samples tested Number with dimetridazole residues 1997 120 4 1998 54 0 1999 33 0 2000 33 0 2001 32 0
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received from(a) the French Government, (b) the European Commission and (c) other organisations regarding the use of feed additives in exported game birds. [69023]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 11 July 2002]The European Commission has recently raised with us an issue on the authorisation of dimetridazole for use in rearing of game birds in the UK. We expect these discussions to continue over the next few weeks. As part of this process we have been discussing this issue with a number of interested parties, including representatives from the UK game bird industry. We have not, to date, had any representations on this issue from the French Government.