§ 29. Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will 1073 start negotiations to agree a system of import levies for meat with the United Kingdom's main suppliers.
§ Mr. PeartNo, Sir. It would be of no help to producers or consumers to restrict imports of meat at the present time, whether by import levies or other means.
§ Mr. RidleyWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is some need to put a limit on the Exchequer liability for deficiency payments for meat? In view of the unfortunate breakdown of the meat quota talks last year, would he not agree that there is a case for exploring the possibility of agreeing—and I emphasise "agreeing"—levies with our main suppliers as an alternative?
§ Mr. PeartI would have thought that the hon. Gentleman would appreciate that there was a strong demand for meat in the world and that to have a restriction of that kind would be unworkable and harmful to the consumer.