Lord Chelwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
To what degree the European Community was self-sufficient in (a) butter and (b) total milk and milk products in the last year for which figures are available; and what are their estimates for the three following years if present trends and policies persist.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)Estimates prepared by the Milk Marketing Board indicate that in 1982 the European Community (excluding Greece) was 126 per cent. self-sufficient in butter. Similar figures in respect of milk and milk products indicate self-sufficiency ratios of 121 per cent. for butterfat and 127 per cent. for solids non-fat. Estimates for the level of self-sufficiency in future years are not available but the trend has been for self-sufficiency to increase.