HC Deb 08 May 1984 vol 59 cc330-1W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he intends to take to alleviate the present difficulties facing dairy farmers who have to cut back their production levels, by way of grants to producers undertaking to cease milk production under article 4(1)(a) of Council regulation 857/84 of 31 March; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Colvin

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to the preparation of a scheme for transfering milk quotas from one producer to another and from one farm to another.

Mr. Jopling

I refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friend to my statement of 26 April at columns 581–82 in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mr. Mills). Until the detailed implementing arrangements are clear it is not practicable to take a firm view on the various possibilities provided for in Council regulation (EEC) No. 857/84.

Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Reportthose countries in the European Economic Community whose laws make it illegal to sell milk, cream, cheese milk and clotted cream for human consumption without pasteurisation; and what pasteurisation standards are adopted by each country for each product.

Mr. MacGregor

I regret that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate expense.