HC Deb 12 November 1991 vol 198 c469W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the monopoly powers of the Northern Ireland Milk Marketing Board; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

Under Community law the United Kingdom is authorised to grant the milk marketing boards the exclusive right to buy from producers in their area the milk which they produce and market without processing, provided it satisfies certain minimum requirements. This right is coupled with an obligation on the boards to purchase the milk in question.