§ Mr. Brocklebank-Fowlerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has taken to secure the amendment of the regulations controlling the sale of apples in the European Economic Community to take account of the requirements of British producers of culinary apples, especially Bramleys; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GodberThere is no internationally agreed definition of culinary apples. We have, however, secured a special relaxation in the quality standards for apples to permit an increase in size range for Bramleys. In the light of the surplus of apples in the original Community any Bramleys exported will in practice have to reach at least the Community's Class II standards. In these circumstances I do not contemplate196W any further discussions at present, since the officers of my Department who are responsible for the administration of quality standards on our domestic market are fully aware of the special characteristics of this variety. I am confident that Bramleys will continue to be sold here to meet the demand for them.