INJECTION OF COWS WITH BST

That this House notes with concern that there is an increase in the incidence of mastitis in dairy cows treated with bovine somatotropin; notes the warning of the European Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products that, if BST-treated cows are not to suffer, substantial improvements will be needed in husbandry standards and fears that such costly changes may not be practicable for overworked farmers; is concerned that the wholesome image of milk would be tarnished by BST use, leading to a fall in consumption; believes that a product designed to enhance production is out of step with the goal of reducing agricultural surpluses in the European Union; believes that, in the interests of informed consumer choice, milk and other products derived from BST-treated cows should be labelled as such; and urges Her Majesty's Government to support the European Commission's proposal that the moratorium on the use of BST in the European Union be extended until the year 2000.