§ 87. Mr. Roebuckasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes will be necessary in quarantine regulations if the United Kingdom joins the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. John MackieNo change should be necessary in the quarantine regulations relating to the importation of dogs, cats and exotic animals and birds. The Community has not issued any Directive covering these animals.
Our quarantine requirements for the importation of farm animals and domestic poultry are at present included in the general veterinary conditions governing each separate importation. The Community Directives now in force do not deal with nor prohibit quarantine. Future arrangements can therefore be determined only in the light of discussion with the E.E.C.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the large-scale destruction of food in Common Market countries this year; and whether he will make it a condition of entry that British farmers shall not be required to burn food crops.
§ Mr. PeartI am aware that during periods of depressed prices growers' organisations in certain member countries of the E.E.C. have withdrawn tomatoes, apples and cauliflowers from the market and destroyed them. Under E.E.C. arrangements, market intervention of this kind is at the discretion of growers' organisations or in certain circumstances of member Governments, and Community regulations do not require the destruction of the produce concerned. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.