§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that the collection of the cereal co-responsibility levy will be effectively policed to present avoidance by misrepresentation of goods and failure to record transactions, so as to avoid discrimination against merchants, processors, and farmer suppliers who obey the law.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonUnder arrangements coming into effect on 1 July, those responsible for collecting the cereals co-responsibility levy will be required to register with the Intervention Board, keep records of their grain transactions and make them available for official inspection. Failure to comply with these requirements will be punishable by a fine of up to £2,000 for each offence.
In addition there will be regular inspection visits in order to ensure that records are kept and the levy paid in full.