Lords defeat wont change bone ban
Lords defeat wont change bone ban
FARM minister Jack Cunningham insisted that the governments defeat in a House of Lords debate on Tuesday, where peers voted by 207 to 97 in favour of lifting the ban on bone-in beef, would have no effect.
The regulations, introduced late last year, would remain in force, he said. "The government remains committed to ensuring that no BSE-infected material can enter the food chain. The health of consumers remains our priority."
Tory peer Lord Willoughby de Broke introduced the debate, saying the ban had infuriated the public and had made the government look "unusually foolish". The scientific basis for the ban was questionable and the risk involved was infinitesimally small.
But junior farm minister Lord Donoughue criticised those voting in favour of lifting the ban. They were jeopardising the governments campaign to get the beef export ban lifted, he said.