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Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Answer

Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has received from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee on the practice of feeding animal products to animals of the same species; and if he will make a statement. [21657] Dr. John Cunningham: At my request, at its meeting on 2 December the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee considered the practice of feeding animal by-products to animals of the same species. The committee's advice is being published in full, and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House. The committee did not consider that there was an immediate risk from intraspecies feeding. However, they thought it possible that TSEs might arise spontaneously in any species with a prion protein gene, and that if this were the case the practice of recycling waste as feed within a species could spread any resultant disease. The committee describes the risk here as small, but considered that it could not be discounted completely. The committee has recommended that the Government develop a strategy to remove this risk, taking account of practical enforcement considerations and alternative disposal option, and discuss it with EC partners. Although the risk is small, I intend to accept this recommendation on a precautionary basis. Essentially this means that the current practices of processing certain types of waste containing porcine material and feeding it as swill to pigs, and using poultry and feather meal as high protein ration for poultry, will have to end. Before legislating, however, I shall, as advised, consider the alternative routes for disposing of such waste. I am currently conducting a review of national animal waste legislation and intend to issue proposed legislation for consultation early in the New Year. That will set out our proposals in respect of pig swill subject to any further discussions in the European Community. I shall use that opportunity to ask for comments on the other issue raised by SEAC's advice. Subject to those comments, I also envisage bringing forward legislation to ban the recycling of poultry meals as poultry feed, but want to sound out Community partners first. This action to avoid any possibility that a risk which the committee described as "small" and "potential" means that consumers will continue to enjoy the highest possible protection against the risks from TSEs, and give the assurance that pig and poultry products remain TSE free.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

303 c224-5W; 21657

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Animal feed Animal products Disease control EU action Poultry Pigs Waste disposal Waste BSE Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee Transmissible encephalopathies