Written question asked by Anthony Steen (Conservative) on Tuesday, 27 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 April 2001. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Wednesday, 4 April 2001 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps he is taking to ensure that meat and bonemeal is not fed to pigs; what enforcement measures exist; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Steen: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that meat and bonemeal is not fed to pigs; what enforcement measures exist; and if he will make a statement. [156157] Ms Quin: In March 1996 the use of mammalian meat and bonemeal (MMBM) was banned in all feed for farmed animals. Responsibility for enforcement rests with local authorities. In addition, the State Veterinary Service carries out a feed sampling programme, which involves the collection and testing, for the presence of mammalian protein, of 20,000 feed samples a year to ensure compliance.

Secondary information