§ Mr. Roderickasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the difficulties which face the poultry trade and local authorities in implementing the requirements of the EEC veterinary directive on trade in poultry meat—No. 71/118—and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BishopThis directive already applies to our external trade with other member States of the European Community. My right hon. Friend is aware of the difficulties to which my hon. Friend refers and consultations are continuing with the interests concerned. My right hon. Friend is seeking to defer until February 1978 the application of the directive to the United Kingdom home market. This is quite apart from the deferment we are seeking for our trade in uneviscerated poultry. Both matters will be the subject of further negotiation in Brussels.