§ Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on any Common Market proposals or regulations concerning the butterfat content of milk in Great Britain and state what that butterfat 375W content is now and will be in 1974 and 1976; and why changes are necessary in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartEEC Regulation No. 1411/71, which was adopted by the Council on 29th June 1971, set a minimum fat content for whole milk of 3.5 per cent. The monthly average butterfat content of ordinary milk as it comes from the cow in England and Wales varies at present between approximately 3.4 and 4.1 per cent., according to the region and the time of the year, with an overall average of round about 3.8 per cent. It is unlikely that there will be any substantial change in these figures in 1974. The United Kingdom accordingly negotiated a derogation from the provisions of regulation No. 1411/71. This derogation is set out in the Treaty of Accession and authorises the supply as whole milk until 31st December 1975 in the United Kingdom of milk with a fat content of less than 3.5 per cent. provided the milk has not been subject to any skimming. After that date, under the terms of the EEC regulations, no whole milk could be sold if it had a fat content of less than 3.5 per cent. There would be nothing whatever to prevent milk with a fat content of over 3.5 per cent. being sold nor need a higher fat content be reduced.