HC Deb 18 October 1973 vol 861 c255W
29. Mr. Hunt

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the effect of the new Common Market regulations on the quality of British milk.

30. Mr. Garden

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what date it is intended to increase the minimum requirement from 3 per cent. to3.5 per cent. butter fat content of whole milk on sale in Great Britain to conform to this higher standard in EEC Regulation No. 1411/71.

Mrs. Fenner

The Community regulations lay down a minimum butter fat standard for whole milk of 3.5 per cent. This compares with our minimum presumptive standard of 3 per cent. and an average fat content for ordinary milk of 3.7 to 3.8 per cent. in the United Kingdom. The Treaty of Accession authorises whole milk with a fat content of less than 3.5 per cent. to be supplied to consumers in the United Kingdom till 31st December 1975.