§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the quality and hygiene restrictions imposed on milk imported to this country; what proportion of the imported milk is tested to ensure it complies to these regulations; and what volume of milk has been imported to the UK in each of the last 20 years. [36426]
§ Mr. MorleyAll milk and milk products imported into the UK from other EU member states must have been produced in accordance with Community rules. Imports from third countries must have been produced to standards at least equivalent to those. Among other things, the legislation lays down the approval, structural, handling and enforcement requirements to be applied. In line with Community rules, random spot checks at destination may be carried out.
Consignments of milk and milk products imported from third countries are subject to veterinary inspection on entering the EU to ensure that conditions of import have been complied with and that they have remained in a satisfactory condition during transport. This constitutes a documentary check on all imports from third countries, as well as physical checks on 50 per cent. of these.
The amount of milk imported into the UK for each year from 1982 is as follows:
UK imports of milk—1982–2001 Million litres EC Non-EC 1982 15.10 0.01 1983 22.77 0.03 1984 28.00 0.02 1985 29.33 0.03 1986 34.02 0.10 1987 40.80 0.10 1988 43.17 — 1989 32.06 — 1990 34.13 — 1991 59.26 0.02 1992 121.94 0.02 1993 93.59 — 1994 164.15 0.19 1995 172.83 0.00 1996 119.42 0.03 1997 151.68 0.00 1998 187.31 — 1999 134.43 0.01 2000 122.38 — 20011 85.23 — 1 January to November Notes:
- 1. Data for 1988–2001 refer to 'Milk and Cream of a fat content, by weight not exceeding 6 per cent.'
- 2. Data for 1982–87 refer to 'Fresh Milk and Cream (including skimmed and buttermilk, sour milk and cream, whey, kephir and yoghurt)'
- 3. As such, data for 1988–2001 and data for 1982–87 are not directly comparable.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the end distribution of milk produced in the1348W UK; and what proportion of milk was sold (a) in supermarkets and (b) on the doorstep in each of the last 20 years. [36427]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Department does not collect data for milk sales by outlet. The Dairy Council estimates that around 69 per cent. of household purchases of liquid milk are now made in supermarkets and 23 per cent. from doorstep deliveries. 10 years ago doorstep deliveries accounted for around 61 per cent.