Marketing Boards (Hansard, 17 February 1977)

§ 9. Mr. Nicholas Winterton
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in discussions with the Commission of the EEC 689 concerning the retention of existing United Kingdom marketing boards.

§ 13. Mr. Corrie
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in discussions with the Commission of the EEC concerning the retention of existing United Kingdom marketing boards.

§ Mr. John Silkin
As I told the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) yesterday, we continue to be in close touch with the EEC about the future of the marketing boards, including the Milk Marketing Boards. The boards' activities have naturally to be consistent with the Treaty of Rome and EEC regulations, and the purpose of our discussions with the Commission is to find legal solutions which fully meet the Government's aim, which is to maintain those functions of the boards which are essential to the orderly marketing of the products concerned.

§ Mr. Winterton
The right hon. Gentleman has attempted to establish himself as the champion of the housewife, but he has totally failed to understand or appreciate the importance of the producer. Will he give a firm assurance that he will ensure the continuance of the marketing boards, particularly the Milk Marketing Board, and will he do his utmost to persuade his European partners to establish similar organisations within the EEC?

§ Mr. Silkin
When I assumed office, I was well aware that I was Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Fisheries, and Minister for Food. Translating that into practical terms, it means looking after the interests of all three and not just of one section. I agree with the hon. Member about the value of the marketing boards—indeed, I have gone even further. I will send him a copy of the speech I made on 8th December, in which I said that, far from the marketing boards in England being discontinued, such boards would be of great use to the whole of Europe.

§ Mr. Corrie
What positive steps is the Minister taking to ensure that his European counterparts are fully aware of the way in which our marketing boards have worked within the marketing system and have helped production of the commodities concerned in this country? Does 690 he agree that any changes that take place should be in the European system rather than in our system?

§ Mr. Silkin
My officials and I have had considerable discussions in this particular realm. We have discussed the matter with the former Commissioner, Mr. Lardinois, the present Commissioner, Mr. Gundelach, and our European partners. They are in no doubt about what is involved, and I do not go back on anything that I said a moment ago. The boards have proved very valuable to this country, and they should be copied in Europe.

§ Mr. Welsh
In order to retain these successful boards, the Minister should encourage Continental farmers to adopt a similar system. Is it possible to extend the specialist work of the boards within the United Kingdom, for example in the Scottish seed potato industry?

§ Mr. Silkin
As regards encouraging our partners in Europe, certainly I will do my utmost. I believe that over the years—and it is many years now—the marketing boards have proved their effectiveness, and this is something that I intend to try to fight for as long as I can

§ Mr. Torney
Is my right hon. Friend aware of the unqualified success of the British Milk Marketing Board ever since its inception? It has been able to put some order into a situation which previously was chaotic. Rather than try to force us to dismantle these excellent boards, the EEC should adopt something similar. We might then see a lessening of the absolute mess that the EEC has made of the milk situation in member States, particularly in France.

§ Mr. Silkin
My hon. Friend is reinforcing the point with which every hon. Member in the House agrees. The marketing boards have a long and proud history in this country. I will do my best to maintain them—maybe not in exactly the form that they take now, but certainly with the same essentials and principles.