§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that, with milk production now limited by quotas, the monopoly rights of milk boards are any longer either necessary or in the interests of the consumer.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)The Milk Marketing Boards have been facing a period of great change. In addition to the introduction of the quota system, they have had to adapt to Community regulations which restrict their freedom of action. They also face the challenge of pasteurised milk imports into a static market and the need for producers to look to added value rather than increased production in order to maintain returns. While the Government have no plans to make changes to the present milk marketing arrangements, it is clearly sensible to keep under review the rapid developments which are taking place in this sector.