§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures the Milk Marketing Board took to ensure the movement of milk and milk products during the trough months of milk production; and with what success.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe Milk Marketing Board collects milk from producers and arranges for its delivery to dairies and manufacturers: it is not responsible for the movement of milk products. The board allocates milk so that the important liquid market is given first priority. During the seasonal trough in milk production additional supplies to meet this priority market are normally drawn from milk allocated to butter and milk powder factories. However, last year's trough was unusually deep and prolonged, with the consequence that, for a period, some milk also had to be drawn from cheese manufacture, but this was kept to a minimum.