To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in adopting an EC policy of aflatoxin limits in crops; and if he will make a statement.

There are no proposals for Community limits on aflatoxins in crops; there are however limits which already apply in the case of feedingstuffs under Council directive 74/63/EEC controlling undesirable substances and products in animal nutrition. In addition, the Commission has announced its intention to bring forward proposals shortly for framework legislation on contaminants in foodstuffs which would enable limits to be set for aflatoxins in food for human consumption in due course. We shall expect the public health aspects of any proposals in this area to be based on consultation of the EC's scientific committee for food.