§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to increase the charges to producer-retailers of his Ministry's milk sampling, in percentage and cash terms; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryI refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Romsey and Waterside (Mr. Colvin) on 6 November,Official Report columns 418–19. The £16–34 per cent.—increase in the charge for milk sampling and testing takes effect on 27 November 1992.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to end the duplication of milk sampling by his Ministry and environmental health authorities.
§ Mr. CurryThere is no duplication. The Ministry is responsible for the on farm sampling, and subsequent testing of untreated milk. This work is undertaken by the Agricultural Development Advisory Service. Local authority environmental health officers are responsible for checking the quality of all milk once it has left the farm. This involves some sampling and testing. In rare instances when milk is suspected of causing food poisoning they may also take a sample of milk on dairy farms in the course of their investigations.