§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any plans to define in egg marketing regulations a fresh egg; and whether he intends to make sell-by stickers compulsory.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe egg marketing standards regulations of the European Community define quality standards for "fresh eggs", and require that the date or period of packing should be shown on the pack and provide that a sell-by date may also be added.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to introduce heavier fines for shops found selling bad eggs or other produce; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe Eggs (Marketing Standards) Regulations 1985 already prescribe a substantial fine of up to £2,000 for an offence relating to the marketing of substandard eggs. Under the Food Act 1984 it is an offence to sell unfit food. The maximum fine applicable is again £2,000. In each particular case it is for the courts to decide upon the appropriate level of fine within the maximum.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to initiate further spot checks in the United Kingdom to test the quality of eggs; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe egg marketing inspectorate already carries out a systematic schedule of inspection visits to egg packing centres and wholesalers, and provides 669W technical assistance to trading standards officers at retail outlets, to ensure that eggs meet with requirements for quality, weight and labelling as prescribed by the egg marketing standards regulations of the European Community.