HC Deb 25 March 1993 vol 221 c1232
11. Mr. Garnier

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to improve efficiency and profitability in dairy farming.

Mr. Gummer

At last week's Agriculture Council, the United Kingdom opposed further cuts to the milk quota.

Mr. Garnier

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer and assume that he will recognise the quality of the grassland in my constituency and the quality of its dairy herds. Will my right hon. Friend promote diversification in agriculture by encouraging the breeding of buffalo and the eating of buffalo meat, which not only tastes good but is low in cholesterol?

Mr. Gummer

My hon. Friend failed to mention the importance of buffalo milk, which is very important in import substitution because of the production of mozzarella cheese. I am very proud of the kind of mozzarella cheese that we can now produce in the United Kingdom and I hope that we shall be able to export it to Italy and elsewhere.