§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of EU Commission Regulation 623/98 on the manufacture of Cumberland Rum Butter; and if he will make a statement. [47772]
§ Mr. RookerCommission Regulation (EC) 623/98 amends Commission Regulation (EC) 577/97 relating to standards for spreadable fats and the protection of dairy designations. From April 1999, "Cumberland Rum Butter" and all other alcoholic butters (including brandy and whisky butters) may only be so described if they contain sufficient butter to meet a minimum milkfat level of 34 per cent. The UK was opposed to the adoption of arbitrary compositional rules of this kind.
155WThe Regulation will, however, have no effect on those rum and other "butters" sold with 34 per cent. or more milkfat. Products which do not contain enough butter to meet the minimum milkfat level may also continue to be sold, but may need to be relabelled to ensure that their different composition is clear to consumers. It is not possible to estimate the likely impact of such relabelling on sales or production of these products but the Department is working closely with the relevant companies to find ways to minimise problems for UK manufacturers.