§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if bee products have ever been distributed under the EEC surplus food distribution; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RyderIf the hon. Member is referring to the current EC surplus food scheme, which is aimed at reducing stocks held in intervention, bee products are not subject to intervention arrangements and are not covered by this scheme.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what EEC policies currently pertain towards bee products; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RyderThe only EC controls in this area are those contained in Council directive 74/409/EEC on the harmonisation of the laws of the member states relating to honey.
86Wwithin the limits laid down in the European Community legislation. The scheme first operated in 1988 and the rules are not expected to be changed for 1989.
There have been no directly comparable schemes in previous years. During the winter of 1986–87, arising from severe weather throughout Europe, a number of products were distributed to the most needy by charitable organisations; and at Christmas time in both 1982 and 1984, subsidised butter was sold to the general public through retail outlets.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the(a) quantity and (b) cost of each foodstuff distributed under arrangements for surplus EEC food distribution for each year since accession to the EEC.
§ Mr. RyderSince accession to the European Community, the quantity and value of each foodstuff distributed in the United Kingdom under various arrangements for surplus EC food distributions is as follows: