§ 11. Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the latest EEC proposals for the standardisation of milk and other regulations likely to affect the production and marketing of liquid milk in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. BishopOn the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, I would refer him to the statements I made during the debate on 15th January about the latest Commission proposals relating to the fat content of whole milk.
On the second part, there has been no further substantial discussion in Brussels of the Commission's proposals on the quality and marketing and health and hygiene of milk since they were debated in the House on 20th February 1975.
§ Mr. NewensDoes my hon. Friend agree that permission to import milk of a lower average butterfat content than the average set by British producers would lead to a price war in which British producers would be forced to lower the quality of fresh milk and in which door-to-door sales could ultimately be damaged? In the end the consumer could be provided with a poorer product and the producer with a much smaller market. Is he prepared to do something to prevent that?
§ Mr. BishopI am not sure that my hon. Friend was present during the debate on 15th January. These matters were discussed then and assurances were given that we should certainly do our best in the Brussels negotiations to protect the present situation. The choice is between standarisation and non-standardisation of milk. So far as possible we want our present system to continue.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonIf a standardisation policy were introduced in the EEC, it would lead inevitably to greater butter surpluses. Will the hon. Gentleman give a firm assurance that the Government will stand out against standardisation? I believe that it would endanger the future of the daily pinta in this country.
§ Mr. BishopThe effect of the fat content proposals on the Community's surpluses of butter and skimmed milk powder were mentioned in the debate on 15th January. I believe that the hon. Gentleman took part in that debate. In the recent discussions in Brussels on the price proposals, my right hon. Friend has made very positive proposals about surpluses generally with a view to their elimination. This subject is being considered.
§ Mr. SpearingDoes my hon. Friend remember that on 15th January he told the House that he would try to get an agreement with the EEC that no unstandardised milk of less than 3.4 per cent. butterfat content would be imported? Will he tell us what progress he has made?
§ Mr. BishopThe argument was between 3.5 per cent. and 3.76 per cent. or 3.8 per cent. There has been no further Community discussion since the debate, but we shall bear in mind what my hon. Friend says.