§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to give protection to British poultrymeat processors from unfair overseas competition.
§ Mr. MacGregor[pursuant to his reply, 5 March 1985]: Various local authorities have responsibilities in relation to the water content of imported frozen chicken and other aspects of quality and hygiene under domestic and EC legislation. My Department keeps closely in touch with the organisations which represent the various enforcement agencies about the exercise of these responsibilities.
Any evidence of illegal national aids which might assist poultrymeat producers and processors in other member states to the detriment of the United Kingdom industry would immediately be notified to the European Commission; and we are continuing to press for the elimination of the distortion in competition created by the varying standards of enforcement of the EC poultrymeat hygiene legislation in the different member states.