§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department is taking to ensure that there will be no reduction in the number of milk samples being tested as a result of the closure of research stations in the south-west, the north-west, the south midlands and Kent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe only regular milk testing carried out by my Department is to ensure that untreated milk producers comply with one of the conditions of their licence. This work will not be significantly affected by the closure of certain microbiology laboratories, since the samples in question will be transported to other laboratories. The comprehensive testing carried out by the Milk Marketing Board (which includes monthly testing for brucellosis on behalf of the Ministry) will not be affected at all.