§ Mr. Boris JohnsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are in place to enforce the ban on feeding swill to pigs on farms and smallholdings. [152255]
§ Mr. BradshawFollowing the introduction of the ban that was introduced in May 2001 the State Veterinary Service made a series of visits to all former swill feeders to ensure compliance was achieved. It is now Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 which prohibits the feeding of catering waste to farmed animals and the enforcement powers laid down in the Animal By-Products1448W Regulations 2003 are exercised by the local authorities. The Chief Veterinary Officer, however, continues to ensure that local authorities and the State Veterinary Service are reminded of the importance of remaining vigilant on compliance during all visits and inspections.
§ Mr. Boris JohnsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she will take to prevent wild birds feeding at landfill sites containing disposed swill, in relation to the prevention of the spread of disease to livestock. [152256]
§ Mr. BradshawDefra and the Environment Agency have reminded operators of landfill sites of the animal health risks from waste food and of their obligations to ensure precautionary measures are taken to help prevent scavenging by wildlife. These include prompt burial with progressive covering with non food waste to ensure waste food is not left exposed, and robust vermin and pest control measures.
§ Mr. Boris JohnsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of farms and smallholdings which may still be feeding unprocessed swill to pigs. [152257]
§ Mr. BradshawIt has long been illegal to feed unprocessed swill and since May 2001 it has also been illegal to feed processed swill. There should therefore be no farms or smallholdings feeding such material to pigs.