§ Sir Richard BodyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact on United Kingdom consumers of further European Economic Community restrictions on New Zealand butter imports.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe European Commission has made proposals on the future of imports of New Zealand butter, which were debated on 30 November. The Government believe that these proposals represent a reasonable balance between the interests involved, including those of consumers.
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 10 January,Official Report,column 520, what information is available on the distribution of European Economic Community butter under European Community Regulation 2191/81; which body is responsible for administering the distribution; how institutions apply to receive it; and what records are kept of these applications.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe scheme is administered in the United Kingdom by the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce. The board maintains registration details of 4,000 eligible institutions, of which 2,400 are currently active. Records are kept of total sales of butter under the scheme. Once registered, organisations apply to the board for monthly certificates which permit the purchase of authorised quantities of butter from suppliers. In 1988 about 20,000 certificates were issued, details of which are held by the board.