§ 37. Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the standard of wheat accepted by the Community as suitable for bread-making is the same in all European Economic Community member States.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithIn order to be accepted into intervention at the bread wheat reference price, wheat must pass standards laid down in great detail in Community regulations which are applicable in all member States.
§ Mr. John Carlisleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether any laboratory tests for assessing the suitability of bread -making wheat for intervention purposes to British stores are made outside the United Kingdom by the Intervention Board.
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§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithYes. Some tests are carried out in Belgium to relieve pressure on United Kingdom facilities.
§ Mr. John Carlisleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that British farmers submitting samples of bread-making wheat for intervention purposes are not at a disadvantage to those European farmers submitting similar samples to their respective agencies.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI am well aware of our producers' concern that a lower proportion of bread-making wheat offered for intervention in the United Kingdom has passed the prescribed tests than in some other member States. My Department is continuing to investigate the matter with the co-operation of the European Commission.