§ Mr. Geraint HowellsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the role of the Meat and Livestock Commission in giving guidance, advice and publicity to its produce; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanUnder the Agriculture Act 1967, the Meat and Livestock Commission has a general duty to promote greater efficiency in the livestock and livestock products industries in Great Britain. It raises a levy to fund its general expenses including generic marketing and promotion: a species promotion levy funds its promotion of the merits of individual meats. In addition, the commission increasingly provides advice and guidance on a commercial fee-paying basis. In particular, the commission offers advice to all sectors of the industry on the achievement and maintenance of a high-quality product and on the export of meat and meat products to other countries.