asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, having regard to the recent confirmation by the World Health Organisation that milk powder which is non-enriched with vitamins A and D can cause serious injury to undernourished children in warm dry climates, he will state the steps that are being taken to ensure that Irish milk powder does not suffer from the lack of these essential elements.

The World Health Organisation's concern in this matter relates to skimmed milk powder being supplied as food aid to developing countries. Skimmed milk powder enriched with vitamins A and D is being supplied in needy cases since last summer under the Community's food aid programme for developing countries and Ireland has been successful in securing a number of contracts for the provision of aid in this form under that programme. As part of our own national food aid contribution to the world health programme, Ireland supplies vitamin enriched or plain skimmed milk powder as required.