HC Deb 29 June 1988 vol 136 cc271-2W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what liaison takes place between his Department and the Dairy Trades Federation regarding restructuring of the milk industry.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The current rationalisation of butter manufacturing capacity is taking place under the terms of a scheme negotiated between the Dairy Trade Federation and the Milk Marketing Board. My Department has not been involved in the scheme other than to seek the necessary clearances from the European Commission to the arrangements proposed. Detailed implementation of the scheme is entirely a matter for the parties to the agreement and the dairy companies concerned.