HC Deb 29 November 1982 vol 33 cc46-7W
Mr. Proctor

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether there are any cases against him awaiting judgment in European courts outside the United Kingdom; if he will list any such cases in the Official Report; when he expects judgments to be announced in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Walker

There are two actions by the European Commission on agricultural topics currently pending against the United Kingdom before the European Courts. In case 124/81, concerning restrictions on imports of UHT milk and UHT cream, judgment is not expected before mid-January 1983.

In its decision of 15 July 1982 in case 40/82, concerning animal health restrictions on imports of poultrymeat, eggs and egg products, the court resolved the major issue, but reserved judgment on two subsidiary questions. These are the ban on imports of poultry products into Northern Ireland from other member States, except Ireland and Denmark, and the United Kingdom import licensing system as particularly applied to the import of heat-treated egg products into Great Britain. Until the pleadings are closed, it will not be possible to give a reliable estimate of when the reserved judgment is likely to be delivered.

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