§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what proportion of responses received to the pigswill consultation were in favour of(a) tightening controls, (b) maintaining current levels of control and (c) relaxing controls; [78542]
(2) what steps her Department has taken to revise the published consultation response on the practice of using pigswill; [78552]
(3) how many responses she has received on the pigswill consultation from (a) operatives who provide a pigswill service and (b) owners of pig-rearing farms; [78533]
(4) what proportion of responses received to the pigswill consultation were in favour of (a) continuing current pigswill arrangements (b) altering current arrangements and regulations and (c) a ban on the use of pigswill. [78541]
§ Mr. MorleyThe final number of responses received by the Government in reply to the public consultation letter of 27 March 2001 on the proposal to ban swill feeding reached 351. Of those a minority objected to the proposed ban. To review all those responses again for the details requested would involve my Department in disproportionate costs.
A letter was sent on 9 May 2001 to all those that were consulted to advise on the decision that had been reached and to provide advice for producers who were feeding swill at that time. The advice was re-issued 2 days later to clarify certain paragraphs and to delete some of the advice on the disposal of unprocessed swill which was incorrect.