§ Sir Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria he used in fixing the level of the charges which have been introduced for milk plant inspections; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerThe object of charging for milk and dairies work is to cover all the costs which the Ministry incurs in administering the milk and dairies regulations. These costs — which comprise not only wages and salaries but travel expenditure, office and laboratory services, accommodation and other overheads — currently total approximately £2.2 million a year. Following informal discussion with the NFU, FUW and MMB we have concluded that the most equitable way to collect this sum from producers is to charge on the basis of two flat rates, one for routine visits to farms by dairy husbandry officers to check compliance with the regulations and another for visits to farms to sample and later test raw milk sold by holders of an untreated milk producer's licence and private water supplies used for dairying purposes. In the course of discussion with the industry my officials have indicated that these rates are likely to be in the region of £90 a visit and £22 a visit respectively. Dairy husbandry officers visit wholesale producers once every two years on average, so £90 a visit is equivalent to £45 a year. Wholesale producers with high standards of compliance with the regulations are visited once every three years or even less frequently, and for them the proposed charge is equivalent to £30 a year or less. I recognise that holders of an untreated milk producer's licence, including farmhouse caterers, are visited more frequently and that there is concern about the effect of charging upon this sector. I am therefore considering this aspect of charging. I shall then issue formal proposals as a basis for consultation with interested parties in accordance with Section 118(6) of the Food Act 1984, and regulations will then be made and laid before the House in the usual way.