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| The MP could face legal
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| 1988: Egg industry fury over salmonella
claim |
England have
Health minister Edwina Currie has provoked outrage by saying most of
Britain's egg production is infected with the salmonella bacteria.
Mrs Currie, MP for south Derbyshire, made her remarks during a
television interview.
She has angered farmers, politicians and egg producers, some of whom
have been calling for her resignation and are threatening to sue.
"Most of the egg production in this country, sadly, is now affected
with salmonella," she told reporters.
Ministry of Agriculture ministers are reported to be extremely "angry"
at her comments.
A spokesman said more than 30 million eggs were consumed every day last
year.
This is compared to 26 outbreaks of salmonella reported during that
time.
Mrs Currie's officials in the Department of Health have been unable to
provide evidence that most chickens are infected with salmonella.
Her comments have incensed the farming industry and egg producers who
are expecting a sharp fall in egg consumption as a result.
The British Egg Industry Council said it was seeking legal advice on
whether it could sue Mrs Currie over "factually incorrect and highly
irresponsible" remarks.
A spokesman said the risk of an egg being infected with salmonella was
less than 200 million to one.
The National Farmers' Union said it might seek legal damages.
Mrs Currie has been unavailable for comment since her remarks were
made.
She has represented her constituency since 1983 and was made junior
health minister in 1986.
During her short time at the Department of Health, Mrs Currie has
courted controversy with her outspoken opinions.
She upset northerners when she claimed they were dying of "ignorance
and chips".
And she was branded patronising and callous for advising the elderly to
broach the winter months with a pair of long-johns.
One of her most controversial remarks was on the subject of Aids.
She said: "Good Christian people who would not dream of misbehaving
will not catch Aids."
