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Meat Hygiene Service
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on (i) the microbiological results of the Meat Hygiene Service's policy of requiring the trimming of contamination from freshly-dressed carcases, and (ii) if the Meat Hygiene Service procedure had resulted in an overall reduction in the incidence of E. coli 0157 in carcase meat. [88297]
Mr. Rooker:
No such research has been commissioned or evaluated by my Department. The trimming of meat contaminated with faecal material from carcases will inevitably reduce the incidence of E. coli 0157 on carcase meat.
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Mr. Paterson:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received on conversion qualifications to allow meat hygiene inspectors and environmental health officers to qualify as official veterinary surgeons. [88282]
Mr. Rooker:
I have received a number of such representations, including an outline proposal from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health for a conversion course for environmental health graduates to enable them to take on the role of Suitably Qualified Officers for Veterinary Purposes at ports and in licensed fresh meat premises.
However, current EU meat hygiene rules and the EU Directives on veterinary qualifications and training require that an official veterinary surgeon for meat hygiene purposes must be a veterinarian whose veterinary qualifications meet the requirements of the relevant Directives.
Mr. Paterson:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the level of official supervision in (a) meat processing plants supervised by local authorities and (b) cutting plants supervised by the Meat Hygiene Service. [88298]
Mr. Rooker:
None. The specific requirements for official supervision in meat processing plants supervised by local authorities are laid down in the EU Minced Meat Preparations Directive (94/65/EC) and the Meat Products Directive (77/99/EEC, as amended). The frequency of official inspection in such premises is based on a risk assessment using the Inspection Rating in Annexe 1 to Code of Practice No. 9 under the Food Safety Act 1990.
The level and frequency of official supervision of licensed fresh meat cutting plants is specified in the EU meat hygiene Directives (64/433/EEC, as amended; and 71/118/EEC, as amended).
Mr. Paterson:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are taken to ascertain whether, in respect of allegations being made as to contraventions by owners, managers or staff of slaughterhouses of the meat hygiene or specified risk material regulations, there are mitigating circumstances or other factors which would indicate that to continue or initiate proceedings would not be in the public interest. [88296]
Mr. Rooker:
Any allegations which might result in criminal proceedings are thoroughly investigated by members of the Ministry's investigation section in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and other relevant legislation. Such investigations inevitably include questions of whether there are mitigating circumstances. Their report is then sent to the Ministry's prosecution section who, when considering initiating proceedings, comply with the Code for Crown prosecutors and consider not only evidence that may substantiate the contravention but also potential defences and whether, in all the circumstances it is in the public interest for proceedings to be instituted.
Mr. Paterson:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will establish an independent inquiry, chaired by a senior lawyer, into the performance and activities of his Department's legal department, in respect of their proceedings against the
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owners, managers and staff of slaughterhouses for alleged contraventions of the meat hygiene and specified risk material regulations. [88293]
Mr. Rooker:
I am not aware of any need for such an inquiry.
Mr. Paterson:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons the complete skinning of bovine heads is required in instances where no part is to be used for human consumption. [88284]
Mr. Rooker:
The complete skinning of the heads of adult bovines is required by the EU Fresh Meat Directive (64/433/EEC, as amended), even when meat is not to be harvested for human consumption, to allow post-mortem inspection to be carried out hygienically.
Mr. Paterson:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with and what communication he has received from, EU Commission officials on the establishment of the Food Standards Agency. [88285]
Mr. Rooker:
We and our officials maintain regular contact with the EU Commission over the full range of food safety and standards matters, including keeping it informed of the Government's plans for the Food Standards Agency.
Joan Ruddock:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress in establishing a labelling regime for food genetically modified ingredients/additives and derivatives in human and animal feed. [89014]
Mr. Rooker:
The Government are continuing to press the European Commission to publish proposals for labelling of GM additives and GM animal feeds as soon as possible. There are signs that proposals on the labelling of GM additives may be issued by the Commission shortly.
Miss McIntosh:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to make the labelling of food by country of origin compulsory; and if he will make a statement. [88854]
Mr. Rooker:
Food labelling rules require country of origin labelling only where it is needed to avoid misleading consumers. Since these rules are harmonised throughout the European Community any additional requirements for country of origin labelling could be introduced only at European level. Retailers may, of course, provide country of origin information on a voluntary basis, provided what they give is true and not likely to mislead the consumer.
Dr. Cable:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the criteria which determine whether farmers may call their products free range. [89009]
6 Jul 1999 : Column: 503
Mr. Rooker:
I assume the hon. Member is referring to free-range egg and poultry meat production. Before eggs and poultry meat can be marketed as free range, EU Commission Regulations require, among other things, that poultry have continuous daytime access to open air runs, mainly covered with vegetation. They also specify maximum outdoor and indoor stocking densities.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the reform of hill livestock compensatory allowances. [88354]
Mr. Rooker
[holding answer 28 June 1999]: Responses to the Ministry's initial consultation document on the reform of hill livestock compensatory allowances were requested by 25 June. We have received 67 responses from a wide range of interests. These are being analysed and will be made available for public scrutiny in accordance with normal Ministry procedures. A summary of the main points to emerge will be included in a further consultation paper setting out detailed proposals.
Jackie Ballard:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to restrict the use of aspartame in products aimed at children. [89158]
Mr. Rooker:
Aspartame has been thoroughly assessed for safety by a number of scientific bodies world-wide including the UK's Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment and the EC Scientific Committee for Food, and an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) set. EC sweeteners legislation limits the use of this sweetener to specific food categories and to certain maximum levels of use in order to ensure that consumers, including children, do not regularly exceed the ADI. This legislation also prohibits the use of aspartame and other sweeteners in foods specifically designed for infants and young children. The Government have no plans at this time to seek further restrictions on the use of this sweetener.
Jackie Ballard:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the World Health Organisation concerning the recommended daily intake for aspartame; and what plans he has to amend this level. [89157]
Mr. Rooker:
Aspartame has only been permitted for use in food after careful evaluation by independent expert committees in the UK, EU and internationally, including the World Health Organisation committee which deals with food additives. All of these committees have concluded that aspartame is safe for use in food and have set an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for this sweetener of 40 mg/kg body weight. The Government currently have no plans to seek an amendment to this level.
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