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Mr. Yeo: What I meant by "strengthening Milk Marque" was allowing it to integrate vertically, as other comparable organisations do in other European countries. That would be a strengthening of Milk Marque and that is what the Minister has said that he cannot do.
Mr. Brown: The issue is whether the competition authorities will think it right and fair for the whole of
Milk Marque, whether or not it meets the other criticisms, to become processors or whether some other adjustment will be necessary before producer co-operatives can be processors. That is the issue that we must work through with the industry in the coming weeks. I pledge to take a constructive interest in those matters and to do what I can to get the United Kingdom's dairy industry through. That is a perfectly proper thing for the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to want to do.
Mr. Drew: I understand the spirit in which my right hon. Friend will move forward. Does he agree that the way in which Milk Marque and the industry was set up was confrontational and that the only way that we can resolve this is by putting them together around a table and negotiating our way out of this mess?
Mr. Brown: I have repeatedly told those in the food chain that there is no future for any of us in a confrontational approach. I have argued for each section of the food chain--the retailers, the processors, the food producers and even the caterers--to take a constructive interest in each other's well-being and long-term future. Those in the food chain need each other and I have done what I can to encourage co-operation.
The Krebs report is important. The previous Government invited Professor Krebs to undertake that valuable study, and I guess that only a cynic would say that they did that in order to avoid difficult decisions in the run-up to the general election.
Mrs. Angela Browning (Tiverton and Honiton):
On a point of information, I was one of the Ministers who felt that the Krebs report was important and we were only too well aware that it had been many years since there had been an independent report carried out by people who would be regarded, not just politically but in the scientific world, as having the information and qualifications necessary to produce such a report. It was nothing to do with the forthcoming general election. The report was commissioned long before the general election.
Mr. Brown:
Nobody would charge either of us with cynicism, but the Conservative Government had 18 years in which to embark upon this and chose to do so in the run-up to the election.
The Krebs report is of value and I hope that it has been able to inform debate throughout the House. My predecessor had asked Professor John Bourne, a distinguished director of the Research Council Institute for Animal Health, to advise on how the report's recommendations could be implemented. I received Professor Bourne's recommendations when I became the Minister last July and decided straight away to accept his advice and press ahead with the trials. The Government are determined to see the trials through and, at the same time, to take action against tuberculosis in a number of other areas such as a combined package of research which includes the trial, vaccine development, advice on animal husbandry and cattle testing.
I want to make two points absolutely clear to the House. First, hindering or disrupting the trials is in nobody's interest. I urge everyone with an interest in this to co-operate with the trial group. The results, once evaluated, will be shared with everyone with a legitimate interest and, for the first time, we will have a scientific basis on which to proceed.
Secondly, I regard TB in dairy cattle as an animal welfare issue just as much as TB in badgers. The Government are determined to find rational solutions to the problem and not to allow TB to spread in the national dairy herd.
Let me say directly that those who are disrupting the trials are significantly narrowing the range of options available to the Government. Let me say clearly that this is not even in their own narrow sectional interests. Clearer than that I cannot be.
I am making use of this Opposition day to make an announcement. Dairy farmers have asked me whether the Government would agree to an industrywide levy to fund a generic advertising campaign. I am strongly of the view that the most important factors in this consideration are the views of dairy farmers. I can therefore announce to the House that, subject to working out the necessary details with the different parties in the dairy industry, I intend to launch a poll in early September with a closing date six weeks later.
In the United Kingdom, we have the ideal climate for milk production, the highest standards of animal welfare and product safety and some of the finest dairy products in the world.
Mr. James Paice (South-East Cambridgeshire):
It is now several months since the National Farmers Union presented to the Minister a series of proposals to address the problems of TB outbreaks outside the triplet areas while the studies are taking place. When will he respond to those proposals and provide some hope for the dairy farmers outside the study areas?
Mr. Brown:
I do not want to set a date. These are important matters. Significant consideration is being given to the suggestions that have put to me by the dairy industry. Clearly, the points that have been made require a response, and they will get one. I can give the hon. Gentleman the assurance that the Government will not back down from their responsibility to deal with the problem of TB in the dairy herd. If one solution will not work, we shall have to look at the remaining options.
I have been very taken with the point made in the Krebs report that the evidence of a link between TB in the dairy herd and TB in the wild badger population is compelling. That is the phrase used in the report, and that would be the starting point. I would prefer the starting point to be the results of the scientific trial, because we could then all share the evidence and use it as a basis of discussion. However, if that is to be denied me, it does not remove my responsibility to tackle the problem. I give the hon. Gentleman that clear assurance.
Mrs. Diana Organ (Forest of Dean):
We are all aware of the controversy about the Krebs trial. I wholeheartedly agree that any interference with the trial only hinders the gathering of the knowledge that we need to address that dreadful disease in cattle. However, there is concern among dairy farmers in my area that the trial is slipping: Professor Krebs suggested a five-year trial, and we do not want it to become a seven or 10-year trial. We need the trial to proceed apace. My other point--
Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Alan Haselhurst):
Order. In view of the shortage of time available, the hon. Lady must not be greedy.
Mr. Brown:
I can give my hon. Friend the assurance that she seeks. The Government are determined to push on with the trials and to do what is necessary to secure a worthwhile piece of scientific work that will inform the debate once and for all. That is the Government's preferred way forward. However, if that way forward is denied me, and it becomes impossible for us to carry out the trials, I shall still be left to deal with the problem, and I shall have to base solutions on the evidence currently available to us.
Let me draw my remarks to a close. We in this country have a high level of producer expertise and commitment, which is underpinned by strong research and development support from my Ministry.
Mr. McLoughlin:
I thought that the Minister was going to make several announcements this afternoon but, so far, if I have heard him correctly, he has made one announcement about conducting in September a poll of dairy farmers that lasts for six weeks. A focus group could have sorted that out for him--is that the only announcement that he is going to make?
Mr. Brown:
That is a ridiculous point. Opinions on whether or not the industry should fund a generic advertising campaign for milk should not be taken from a focus group. The people whose opinions matter are dairy farmers, which is why they are to be asked for their opinions in a poll.
Matters arising from the competition report overshadow this debate and, as I said at the start, those will be dealt with by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he winds up the debate. I had formed a clear impression that the whole House accepted that report as being not only reasonable and right, but generous on the part of the Government. I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman was here at the start of the debate--
Mr. McLoughlin
indicated assent.
Mr. Brown:
He is twitching on the Back Bench, but I cannot tell whether he was present or not.
Mr. Hoyle:
My right hon. Friend is known for listening to farmers and the poll is welcome. However, will he also consider visiting constituencies such as Chorley to meet local farmers and so ensure that their voice is heard?
Mr. Brown:
Nice try--I can see how this is going to go. I said that I would do my best to visit farmers, especially in areas where dairying is a strong sector.
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