§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much of the following commodities have been made unfit for human consumption under European Economic Community policies for each of the last five years; and, in each case, what was the ultimate use of the product: beef, butter and skimmed milk.
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§ Mr. MacGregorThere have been no measures under European Community policy in the last five years to make beef or butter unfit for human consumption.
The table shows the quantities of liquid skimmed milk which have been subsidised for use as stockfeed in each of the last five years. It is necessary to ensure that the subsidy is paid only when the milk is used for the purposes laid down in the rules. To this end controls are applied which may entail denaturing the milk so that it cannot be used for other purposes; or they may entail administrative controls which avoid the need for denaturing. Figures distinguishing these arrangements are not available except at disproportionate cost.
Liquid skimmed milk subsidised as stockfeed Year million litres 1980 652 1981 622 1982 652 1983 1,176 * 1984 808 * to end October
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, for the following commodities, what is the maximum period of time, under normal storage conditions, that the product will remain fit for human consumption: (a) beef, (b) butter and (c) skimmed milk.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe maximum storage life of any commodity before it becomes unfit for human consumption depends upon its initial condition, the way it is treated and the temperature and conditions under which it is stored.
Butter, beef and skimmed milk powder, if stored satisfactorily, can remain fit for human consumption for several years. Eventually chemical decomposition may make the product unpalatable, whilst remaining fit for human consumption.
Skimmed milk is stored as skimmed milk powder.