Vol. 400 No. 2
88 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the current position regarding the European Commission proposals for licensing of dairy producers; and if, in view of the number of regulations from local authorities, his Department and the EC intend to set up a committee consisting of the Farm Development Service Teagasc, the veterinary section of his Department and farming organisations in order to study the implications thereof.
As part of the 1992 Single Market Programme the EC Commission has drawn up proposals for the harmonisation of standards for health and hygiene in relation to liquid milk for human consumption and milk for the manufacture of dairy products. The proposals have not yet been examined by member states but are expected to be discussed later this year.
I have recently established a working group compromised of representatives of the farming organisations, Teagasc, ICOS and my Department to examine the implications of these proposals.
