§ 81. Mr. Oramasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether milk producers and distributors in the United Kingdom will be required to comply with the European Economic Community regulations under which there are only two grades of milk for liquid consumption, based on butter fat percentages, or whether it will be permissible to retain the present system; and what advice he is giving to the milk industry on this matter.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartWe have negotiated a derogation until 31st December, 1975, from the minimum butterfat standard of 3.5 per cent. for whole milk264W for liquid consumption. From that date whole milk, which is defined to exclude raw milk, for liquid consumption will have to meet this minimum standard, but, provided that the minimum standard is met, dairymen will be free either to standardise their milk or to sell it as it comes from the cow. We have also negotiated an amendment of the regulation so that we can set a higher minimum butterfat standard for special milks such as Channel Islands milk.