asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends raising the question of the European directive on trace elements with the Commission; or what other steps he intends taking to obtain uniformity of application.

The European Commission has under discussion at a technical level with member states proposals for a directive on the composition and labelling of liquid fertilisers and the labelling of trace elements in all fertilisers. United Kingdom officials are participating in those discussions which should ultimately lead to a proposal to the Council.