§ 12. Mr. Fatchettasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the conditions under which raw milk is sold to the public.
§ Mr. JoplingIt is necessary to bear in mind both the health factors involved and the desirability of not interfering unnecessarily with the free choice of consumers. The present arrangements are intended to achieve a reasonable balance between those two considerations.
§ Mr. FatchettIs the Minister aware of a recent outbreak of food poisoning in Leeds because of the sale and consumption of raw milk? Does that not suggest that there are risks involved in this sale? Will not that risk be increased if there is major importation of raw milk from the European Community?
§ Mr. JoplingI do not believe that this poisoning has anything to do with imports of milk. We are talking about raw milk in this case. I am aware of a recent outbreak of food poisoning in Leeds affecting six people. An immediate ban was imposed on further sales of raw milk for liquid consumption, and all farm milk was required to be heat treated. The arrangements were changed in 1980 when Ministers took the view that those wishing to purchase raw milk—green top milk—should be allowed to do so, provided that they were aware that they were buying untreated milk.
§ Sir Peter EmeryDoes my right hon. Friend realise that if he or any other Minister continues discussions with anyone about the possibility of bulk imports of milk from France there will be uproar, not just from the Opposition Front Bench, but from all parts of the House? Is he aware that such a development must be strongly resisted?
§ Mr. JoplingI assure my hon. Friend that we have taken no steps that would allow new supplies of raw milk to be brought into Great Britain at this time.
§ Mr. Robert HughesIs the Minister aware that yesterday the Minister of State sought to undermine the credibility and bona fides of the Dairy Trade Federation by claiming that some sections of it supported the import of raw milk? Is he further aware that, in my view, refusing to give information to the House on the ground of confidentiality is an abuse of our procedures? Will he therefore change his mind and tell us who made the representation to him?
§ Mr. JoplingI think that my hon. Friend the Minister of State was right not to disclose the details. The matter was raised by one of my hon. Friends. In winding up yesterday's debate my hon. Friend the Minister of State did his best to answer the question in a wholly reasonable way without disclosing details which he felt should not be disclosed.