asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will confirm that the UK have got a five year derogation from the ban on hormonal substances while Ireland has only a one year derogation; and if calves fed on milk replacer and growth promotion substances will be affected by the ban.

No member state has yet received a derogation from the EC Directive prohibiting the use of hormones for growth promotion, although the Directive provides for a one year derogation for their use on livestock slaughter for home consumption. Calf milk replacers will not be affected unless they contain growth hormones.