§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in the 170W light of the recent decision of the European Court of Justice, what action the Government propose to take regarding the import of liquid milk into the United Kingdom after 1 January 1980.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe recent judgment of the European Court of Justice does not require the United Kingdom to take any action.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what health risks could arise from allowing the free importation of liquid milk into the United Kingdom for the United Kingdom dairy herd; and whether there are dangers to humans if the United Kingdom's hygiene and health regulations are breached.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerIf the free importation of milk was allowed there would be a danger to our dairy herd from a number of animal diseases, notably foot and mouth disease. Likewise, if the United Kingdom health and hygiene regulations were to be breached there could be a danger to human health from a number of milk-borne organisms, such as brucellosis, tuberculosis and salmonellosis.