HC Deb 17 February 1983 vol 37 cc461-2
14. Sir Peter Mills

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement in the light of the European Court's ruling on the import of ultraheat treated milk.

Mr. Peter Walker

I am studying the detailed implications of the court's judgment and hope to have discussions with the Commission very shortly.

Sir Peter Mills

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the interim measures that he has taken. Will he bear in mind that the real danger is heavily subsidised imports from France and perhaps Holland? If anything will destroy the milk on the doorstep it is heavily subsidised imports of such milk. Will my right hon. Friend take steps to guard against that?

Mr. Walker

Yes, Sir. It would, of course, be illegal for subsidised milk to be sent to Britain. A recent survey in Paris showed that there was only about a penny difference between the price of milk there and the price of fresh milk delivered on the doorstep in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Cryer

Does the Minister accept that the control of UHT milk is welcome? Does he also accept that the principle that he stated earlier of applying safety standards is important, and that that principle should not stop at agriculture but should apply to imported industrial products? The Minister will be startled to learn that Britain does not apply any safety standards or inspection at the ports. Can he tell his colleagues to apply the same standards as he applies?

Mr. Walker

I am sure that my colleagues who are interested in this topic will note the hon. Gentleman's remarks. We shall see that, when legislation is introduced to comply with the court's ruling, the hygiene standards applying in this country will apply to those who send us this product from overseas.

Mr. John Morris

What estimate has the Minister made of the amount of UHT milk that will come into this country, and in particular of skimmed milk? Will he take care to ensure that whatever legislation is drafted is comprehensive, adequate and ensures that there are no loopholes for anybody who improperly imports milk?

Mr. Walker

This type of milk has been available for some time, and there is a similar British product, which takes less than 1 per cent. of the market. Therefore, I do not think that the scope for exports is substantial. I assure the right hon. and learned Gentleman that the law that we shall introduce will apply the same law on hygiene to those products as is applied here and that there will be the appropriate inspection at ports.