HC Deb 25 June 1981 vol 7 c373
18. Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the non-marketing and conversion payments to those farmers who give up dairying are to be stopped.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The non-marketing section of the scheme closed to new applicants on 16 September 1980 and the conversion section on 5 April 1981. As premiums may be paid over a period of up to five years, actual payments to producers under the scheme will come to an end in 1985–86.

Mr. Morrison

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that the payments have not been especially effective in containing the surplus? Will my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food be making alternative suggestions to contain the milk surplus when he is President of the Council of Ministers?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I agree with my hon. Friend that the scheme was not especially effective. It was taken up mainly by those who appeared to be considering leaving dairying for other reasons. For that reason we supported the closure of both the schemes. We shall consider any means that will be effective to contain the surplus created by the dairy industry generally in Europe.