Common Agricultural Policy

HC Deb 03 July 1975 vol 894 cc1659-61

7. Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the EEC stocktaking document on the common agricultural policy, indicating which proposals outlined in that document he accepts, which proposals he rejects and what representation he has made to the EEC Commission concerning this document.

Mr. Peart

I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made following the meeting of the Council of Ministers on 28th-29th April. The Council has not discussed the stocktaking report since then, although consideration has continued at official level.—[Vol. 891, c. 732.]

Mr. Winterton

I thank the Minister for his reply. However, I should like to follow up the point made by his hon. Friend the Member for Durham (Mr. Hughes). Is the Minister aware that the Commission's proposals, in their present form, are totally unacceptable to the British dairy industry and will treat the British dairy farmer very severely? This situation is based upon the inadequate structure of the agriculture industry on the Continent. Will the Minister go further than merely resisting these proposals in their present form? Will he give the House an assurance that, if necessary, he will use the veto?

Mr. Peart

It would be wrong to make such an announcement at this stage. The stocktaking document is very valuable. The Scrutiny Committee, to which I gave evidence, has examined the position. In my view there are some good policies indicated in the document, which we should welcome. I shall not repeat what I said to my hon. Friend the Member for Durham (Mr. Hughes). However, I shall, of course, resist measures that will harm our dairy industry.

Mr. Welsh

Will the right hon. Gentleman also consider the present position of soft fruit growers, especially raspberry producers, who fear the effects of possible dumping by Eastern European Communist countries into the Common Market? Will he especially look at the position of single fruit growers, with a view to helping them?

Mr. Peart

That is not in the stocktaking document.

Mr. Ronald Atkins

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the enormous amount of opposition building up on the Opposition benches to the common agricultural policy and, indeed, to membership of the Community? Will he change his mind yet again and defend the sovereignty of the British Parliament?

Mr. Peart

I am afraid that my hon. Friend is too late. We are in the Community and we must make it work in out own interests.