§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the stocks of beef and skimmed milk held in intervention stores in the United Kingdom at the latest convenient date; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. GummerA note setting out the volume of United Kingdom and Community intervention stocks, including those of beef and skimmed milk powder, is deposited in the Library of the House and updated monthly.
§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost in 1984–85, and what is the estimated cost in 1985–86, of holding beef and skimmed milk in intervention stores.
§ Mr. GummerFigures for storage and other related costs are:
£'000 1984–85 (outturn) 1985–86 (estimate) Beef 12,552 23,769 Skimmed milk powder 2,323 924 Source: 1984–85 Appropriation Accounts, Class III, Vote Al; 1985–86 Winter Supplementary Estimate, Class III, Vote Al.
§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the cattle which produced the beef and skimmed milk currently held in intervention stores were fed on imported grain, soya, ground nuts or anchovies.
§ Mr. GummerIt is not possible to ascertain on what the animals from which are derived the beef and milk products held in intervention have been fed. I have no evidence that imported groundnuts or anchovies are used
'000 tonnes 1982 1983 1984 Date at which applicable in each year European Community foodstuffs held in public intervention storage Butter 100 692 841 31 December Skimmed milk powder 567 990 617 31 December Wheat of which: 6,300 6,857 8,782 31 December Feed n.a. n.a. 3,109 31 December Bread n.a. n.a. 5,673 31 December Barley 1,625 1,102 1,845 31 December Rye 293 249 426 31 December Durum 771 714 858 31 December Beef 203 372 610 31 December Olive oil 166 102 112 31 December Oilseeds 37 0 55 31 December Wine alcohol n.a. n.a. 2mhl September Sugar (white sugar equivalent) 0 0 88 31 December European Community foodstuffs held in assisted private storage Butter 237 188 107 31 December (1982 and 1983 = December) Cheese 67 91 ‡100 December Beef 26 24 275 Figures represent quantities contracted for storage under schemes operating nearest the end of each year Pigmeat 10 22 4 31 December Dried fruit 0 *5 *15 31 December ÷22 31 December Table wine 38mh10 39mh1 5mhl 31 December *1981 crop dried grapes.
†1982 crop dried grapes and figs suitable for distillation and animal feed.
‡Estimated.
542Win cattle feed, although soya can be a minor ingredient in cattle rations and some imported grain may be used in cattle feed in some areas of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy that beef and skimmed milk going into intervention stores do not come from cattle reared on imported grain, soya, ground nuts or anchovies, or on crops capable of being used for human consumption.
§ Mr. GummerNo. Producers should continue to be free to choose the most economic way of providing feedstuffs for their livestock. It is any way not practicable nor sensible to do this.