HC Deb 19 January 1978 vol 942 cc647-9
6. Sir A. Meyer

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he anticipates proposals will be brought forward by the EEC Commission for a sheepmeat regime.

Mr. John Silkin

The EEC Commission is expected to produce proposals before the start of the new marketing year.

Sir A. Meyer

In the meantime, does the right hon. Gentleman consider that he would be better placed to ensure for British sheepmeat exports to France treatment comparable to that which the Irish receive if it were not a fact that he enjoys the unfortunate reputation within Europe of being less concerned to improve the common agricultural policy than to wreck it?

Mr. Silkin

No, Sir.

Mr. Geraint Howells

Is the Minister in a position to give an assurance to the sheep farmers of this country, if the shcepmeat proposals are forthcoming in April, that he will do everything in his power to retain for them the guaranteed price deficiency payment which has served our producers and consumers so well for the last 20 years? Will he further agree that it is now time to persuade our counterparts in Europe to abolish the intervention system and return to guaranteed prices for every commodity that we produce?

Mr. Silkin

I can promise the hon Gentleman that until there is a sheep-meat régime the guarantee system will remain. I cannot go as far as he would like, for the simple reason that I do not know what proposals the Commission may have in mind. I am determined to see that what I regard as three basic essentials are preserved. The first is that the producer shall have a fair price. The second is that the consumer shall he protected from unnecessary and large increases in price. The third is that New Zealand imports shall be preserved and safeguarded.

Mr. Molloy

Does my right hon. Friend recall that many right hon. and hon. Members opposite from the Tory and Liberal Parties who are now so frustrated and angry at the CAP were the strongest advocates of joining the Common Market, and does he agree that the only choice left to them is to remain political masochists or join us in helping to get Britain out of the Common Market?

Mr. Silkin

I am not an expert on changes of mind on the Opposition Benches. As I look around, I occasionally see hon. Members opposite whose views I do not think have changed very much over the years.

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

Does not the Minister realise that the price for sheep-meat in Britain reacts to the price of beef? If that is so, how can he maintain that sheepmeat prices are unaffected by the level of the green pound?

Mr. Silkin

I was really talking about the direct argument that we are having on whether a devaluation of the green pound would assist this sector or that. I was trying to point out that sheepmeat exports and trade inside the Common Market are not affected by the green pound.

Mr. Welsh

Does the Minister approve of the French-Irish sheep trade deal? Is he aware of the importance of the French market, and particularly the Paris market, to Scottish agriculture? What steps will he take to increase exports of sheep from Scotland to the EEC?

Mr. Silkin

The French export market, which, I think—I hope I have the figure right—represents 50 per cent. of our export of sheepmeat, is an important market. It is equally important that there should be no discrimination against us in the name of—shall I say—European free trade or anything else. It is for that reason that I have asked the Commissioner to take steps to see that this discrimination is brought to an end.