Beef Sector (Hansard, 17 February 1977)

§ 10. Mr. Crouch
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the beef sector of the agriculture industry.

§ 17. Mr. Spence
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the beef sector of the agriculture industry.

§ Mr. Bishop
Beef market prices have weakened seasonally since Christmas, both in this country and throughout most of the Community, but have now levelled out. Both the market and producers' returns are effectively underpinned in the United Kingdom by the combination of premiums and intervention, but the market price has remained well above the support levels. Calf and store cattle prices have been generally strong since the autumn. Likely levels of home production of beef suggest firm markets during 1977.

§ Mr. Crouch
Is the Minister aware that very serious concern is felt by our beef producers, who are getting an inadequate return for attempting to increase beef production, particularly at a time of high inflation? Will he give them further encouragement?

§ Mr. Bishop
I have taken note of that. But there are very good reasons for having confidence in beef prospects. Support levels, which are good at the moment, are due to rise at the beginning of the marketing year in a few weeks' time.

§ Mr. Spence
In order to reinforce confidence in the industry, will the Minister confirm that it is the policy of his Department to retain the premium scheme for beef? If not, why not? Also, will he say what the target price for beef will be for March?

§ Mr. Bishop
The hon. Member will know the view of the Government in relation to the beef premium scheme. That was one of the achievements of the Common Market renegotiations. We shall have to consider what is an adequate period for extension of the scheme, and at the moment we are keeping the matter under review.

§ Mr. Hooley
Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that Botswana is getting a fair deal with her exports of beef to the Common Market, since these are very important to that country? There have been criticisms of the bureaucratic system under which imports from Botswana are allowed.

§ Mr. Bishop
My hon. Friend, with his concern for Botswana, will know all the steps that my right hon. Friend has taken. We shall bear in mind the special position of that country.

§ Mr. Body
Has the Minister heard the view of meat importers and the Australian Meat Board that none of the cheap Australian beef will come to this country, once the ban is lifted in April, because of the very high import levies which will continue thereafter?

§ Mr. Bishop
The hon. Member will be aware of the recent liberalisation of the Common Market in relation to beef to which my right hon. Friend referred a few moments ago.