HL Deb 06 December 1994 vol 559 cc79-80WA
Lord Tebbit

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware of either the cross-border sale of Republic of Ireland milk quota into the United Kingdom or the sale of United Kingdom milk produced in excess of quota into the Irish Republic to avoid superlevy liabilities.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Baroness Denton of Wakefield)

Sale of milk quota from one member state to another is not permitted under EC law. The Government are aware of allegations that milk produced in excess of the United Kingdom milk quota is being sold into the Republic of Ireland to avoid supplementary levy liability. There is presently no evidence to confirm existence of such a trade. Any report or evidence that this is happening will be investigated.