§ Sir A. Bossomasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider developing some form of merchandising mark to apply to imported pears, cherries, broccoli, cauliflowers, brussels sprouts, carrots and lettuce so as 9W to ensure that purchasers get the quality of goods they anticipate.
§ Mr. John HareImported produce may be required, under the Merchandise Marks Act, to be marked with the country of origin. But before such marking is made obligatory, a formal application for this to be done must be made by persons substantially representing the interests of producers of the commodities in respect of which the application is made, and the application must be referred to a Standing Committee. The Standing Committee considered such an application for pears, cherries, broccoli and cauliflower in 1954 and recommended that no Order should be made. I have no powers to require marking with quality grades; moreover, any such requirement for imported produce without a similar requirement for home grown would be contrary to our international obligations.