§ 5. Mr. Newtonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he will meet the chairman of United Kingdom Agricultural Supply Trade Association.
§ Mr. BishopMy Department is of course in close and regular contact with the Association, but my right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to meet the president of UKASTA.
§ Mr. NewtonIn the course of this close association, has the Minister become aware of the anxieties of the relevant committee of UKASTA and the British Edible Pulse Association about EEC policies which are rightly designed to increase our self-sufficiency in animal feedstuffs, but which are unfortunately 539 choking off United Kingdom production of processed peas for human consumption? In view of the importance of this crop in Essex and other Eastern counties, will the Minister make sure that these anxieties are removed?
§ Mr. BishopOur officials are in close touch with UKASTA and undoubtedly if this matter is raised, we shall give the fullest co-operation.
§ Mr. LitterickWhen the Minister next meets the chairman, will he point out that every economic forecast produced in the last few months has asserted that global prices of food are falling? Will he ask the chairman to give an explanation of why the food index shows no sign of falling? In the meantime can the Minister offer the House any tentative explanation of this strange fact?
§ Mr. BishopOne of the major factors is the situation in Brussels. My right hon. Friend's views on this matter of price levels are very important.