§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about sales of untreated milk.
§ Mr. JoplingIn March 1980 my predecessor announced that sales of untreated milk to outlets such as shops, schools, hotels and other catering establishments and institutions would no longer be permitted in England and Wales and Northern Ireland with effect from 1 May 1985. I remain committed to these additional restrictions and copies of proposals for the necessary amendment regulations are being issued today to interested parties for comment.
However, I recognise that the operation of the supplementary levy system and especially the lack of flexibility between wholesale and direct sales quota may pose problems for producers affected by the changes.
In view of this my right hon. Friends and I propose that the changes originally planned for 1 May 1985 should be postponed for six months to allow time for further negotiation in Brussels on quota flexibility and that existing licences should be extended by a similar period.