HC Deb 20 December 1973 vol 866 c349W
3. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration was given to the present position regarding stocks of butter, in considering the EEC proposals to extend the hill-farming subsidy to dairy cattle.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

The restrictions which the Council of Ministers imposed on the inclusion of dairy cows for head-age payments in mountain and other less-favoured areas were designed to avoid any worsening of the milk products surplus in the Community.

43. Mr. Charles R. Morris

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present level of butter stocks in the EEC; and what the EEC authorities propose to do with them.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

The latest available information shows public intervention stocks of 124,335 metric tons and privately-owned stocks of 124,416 metric tons. At present these stocks may be released on to the Community market at above the intervention price for any purpose, or at a reduced price to non-profit-making organisations, to the armed forces, to certain food manufacturers for concentrated butter, as well as for export as ghee or as butter, or as food aid.

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