§ 9. Mr. Torneyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the effect upon British lamb exports to France of the French Government's new policy to introduce instructions that will hold up British lamb at the French ports for five days.
§ Mr. JoplingI understand that the proposed French controls on hormone growth promoters are unlikely to be passed by the Assembly before April. I have made it clear to the French Minister of Agriculture—
§ Mr. Robert HughesThe right hon. Gentleman is reading the wrong answer.
§ Mr. SkinnerHe has turned over one page too many.
§ Mr. JoplingIt would be as well if the occupants of the Opposition Front Bench carried out some research, because if they did they would discover that the instructions we are discussing apply to hormone growth promoters. I have made it clear—the hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Torney) knows what I am talking about and it is a pity that those on the Opposition Front Bench do not—to the French Minister of Agriculture that there can be no justification for detaining United Kingdom meat exports tested under such legislation, hearing in mind the strict controls that we apply on the use of growth promoters.
§ Mr. TorneyDoes the Minister agree that the action of the French is merely making the hijack official, as it is apparently being officially backed by the French Government? What firm action does he propose to take to counteract the French action? Will he give serious consideration to retaliating by stopping horrible French milk from coming into this country?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I think that the hon. Gentleman is going rather wide of the question of lamb exports to France.
§ Mr. TorneyI suggest that the Minister closes all but one of the ports in England and the one port in Scotland which are now open to imports of French milk and makes the French queue up in retaliation for the action that they are taking against our lamb exports.
§ Mr. JoplingI have already written to M. Rocard to say that, in view of the controls that are applied in the United Kingdom on the use of growth promoters, there can be no justification for detaining United Kingdom exports pending test results. I am awaiting a reply. I shall not hesitate to raise the matter with the Commission if it becomes clear that measures are to operate that will disrupt trade.
§ Mr. LathamIs this another example of the French making up the rules as they go along?
§ Mr. JoplingI hope that that is not so. The position is—
§ Mr. BudgenYes, or no.
§ Mr. Jopling—that the proposed French measures would appear to be contrary to a Community directive which places a standstill on national legislation on the use of certain growth promoters. It is a principle of Community law that sample testing should be proportionate to the degree of health risk. Detention of United Kingdom consignments would be quite disproportionate action, and I have drawn M. Rocard's attention to these matters.
§ Mr. Robert HughesI apologise to the Minister for accusing him of reading the wrong answer. Is he aware that there is widespread concern in Europe about the use of hormones and the possibility of residues in carcases? Is he aware also that there is not sufficient checking in Britain? The French have restricted our imports on that basis. Will the Minister consider the fact that the French and the Commission seem to have a predilection for taking us to the European Court when they think that we are being difficult? Why does the right hon. Gentleman not do the same with the French?
§ Mr. JoplingI thank the hon. Gentleman for his generous remarks at the beginning of this question. The administering of stilbenes to livestock in the United Kingdom and the use of other growth promoters is controlled under the Medicines Act. At present, no anabolic growth promoters are marketed for use in sheep, none is licensed for use in pigs, and those used in cattle are licensed subject to recommended withdrawal periods. If problems do arise in this connection—we must wait and see—it would be better for the Commission to take the necessary court action, although naturally we will be taking a keen interest in what happens.