Surplus Butter (Hansard, 15 December 1992)

§ Mr. Gerrard
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral answer of 3 December,Official Report, columns 384–85, what records it is compulsory for organisations distributing EC butter to keep.

§ Mr. Curry
Designated organisations must ensure that records are kept of the produce received and distributed. Details of records that are required to be kept are set out in annex B of leaflet LP46 entitled "Surplus Food Scheme".

§ Mr. Gerrard
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral answer of 3 December,Official Report, columns 384–85, what methods his Department uses to contact recipients of EC surplus butter in order to carry out checks.

§ Mr. Curry
It is a requirement that all designated organisations receiving produce for distribution must notify the local office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at least one week in advance of a distribution to eligible recipients. This enables official visits to be made on a random basis.
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§ Mr. Gerrard
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral answer of 3 December,Official Report, columns 384–85, whether he will consider the production by his Department of standard advertisements, posters or leaflets which could be used or adapted by voluntary organisations participating in the scheme for the distribution of EC surplus butter.

§ Mr. Curry
The Intervention Board executive agency produces and distributes a standard poster listing the eligible groups under this scheme. Detailed publicity of the timing and location of individual distributions is best left to designated orgnisations.

§ Mr. Gerrard
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral answer of 3 December,Official Report, columns 384–85, what checks are carried out by his Department on organisations which apply to take part in the scheme for the distribution of EC surplus butter, prior to their acceptance as distributors.

§ Mr. Curry
Organisations are required to certify that they are charitable or non-profit making; preferably already involved in the provision of goods and services to the most needy; and not concerned in the production, wholesaling, storage or retailing of butter and/or beef. Applications must also be supported by an independent referee such as a justice of the peace, minister of religion or a prominent citizen of the local community.

§ Mr. Gerrard
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral answer of 3 December,Official Report, columns 384–85, how many organisations which have participated in the scheme for the distribution of EC surplus butter have been barred from participation in a following year by his Department.

§ Mr. Curry
Applications from six organisations which had participated in the 1991 scheme were refused for the 1992–93 distribution.

§ Mr. Gerrard
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral answer of 3 December,Official Report, columns 384–85, how many of the voluntary organisations distributing EC surplus butter are visited by staff from his Department to observe distribution.

§ Mr. Curry
It is planned that 30 per cent. of the 1,300 designated organisations will be subject to official inspection on a random basis.

§ Mr. Gerrard
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral answer of 3 December,Official Report, columns 384–85, what instructions are issued to voluntary organisations distributing butter as to the details of recipients of butter which they are required to record.

§ Mr. Curry
Designated organisations are required to keep records of the number of recipients, the quantity of butter and beef each received, and how eligibility was established. Documents that organisations may accept as proof of eligibility are listed in annex C of leaflet LP46, entitled "EC Surplus Food Scheme", copies which are available in the Library of the House.