§ Sir J. Edenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reply he has given to members of the National Association of Master Bakers concerning their representations about the EEC directives on the labelling of prepacked foods; if he will take steps to ensure that the interpretation of these directives is practical; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangI have explained that where food is prepacked on the sales premises at the consumer's request or for immediate sale or where food is sold without prepacking, it is proposed that the directive should allow member States to adopt their own labelling rules. If406W such a derogation should be agreed by the Council of Ministers we would consult representatives of interested organisations about our own proposal before implementation. I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made during the debate on this subject on 21st April—[Vol. 930, c. 517–39.]—in which I acknowledged the need for the directive, when implemented, to be practical and realistic.