§ Mr. Nicholsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he proposes to make skim milk powder available to the intensive section in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButlerSkim milk powder is already made available to the intensive livestock sector in Northern Ireland through several European Community aid schemes. The powder must be denatured either by admixture or by direct incorporation into feeding stuffs according to specified formulae. It has been recently agreed that reconstitued SMP will be eligible for subsidy when used for liquid pig feed. Detailed rules have not yet been decided and it is too early to assess the potential value of this agreement to Northern Ireland.