§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is permitted to describe brandy, rum and whisky butters offered for retail sale as butter if they contain less then 34 per cent. milk fat; and if he will make a statement. [44712]
§ Mr. RookerFrom April 1999, only alcoholic butters (including brandy, rum and whisky butters) containing a minimum of 34 per cent. milk fat will be permitted to be described as such. This results from the adoption of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 623/98, which further amends Commission Regulation (EC) No. 577/97 relating to standards for spreadable fats. During the negotiations in Brussels, the UK did not support this particular rule which arbitrarily limits the milkfat content of products described using the term "butter".
Officials are working with the relevant companies to find ways to minimise the problems for UK manufacturers.