§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from retail traders concerning EEC proposals to dispose of surplus stocks of butter in the United Kingdom; what discussions he has had on this subject with the European Commission, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JoplingThe retail trade and others involved in supplying butter have made it clear that they regard special sales of Community butter stocks as highly disruptive. They also consider that such sales over the Christmas period do little to increase consumption, which in any case tends to be higher at that time. I pressed the Agriculture Commissioner to consider promoting the sale of butter by means of a more general subsidy payable over a longer period. He was not prepared to do this. However, the Commission's regulation does include the flexibility166W needed to permit the special sale to take place in the new year, when it may be more effective in increasing sales of butter.
§ Sir Hector Monroasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the detailed arrangements for implementing the European Community special sale of butter stocks.
§ Mr. JoplingThe Butter (EEC Special Sale) Regulations laid today provide for the implementation of this scheme in the United Kingdom. They provide for a maximum price of 42p per 250g pack, for the labelling of packs with the inscription "Special Sale—EEC" and for the advertising of the butter when it is on sale starting from 14 January 1985. The regulations also provide for the necessary enforcement arrangements and penalties. A total of 39,200 tonnes of UK produced butter from Community butter stocks will be made available to consumers under these arrangements.