HC Deb 17 November 1983 vol 48 cc976-7
8. Mr. Rogers

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the suspension of payments under the EAGGF.

Mr. Jopling

The European Commission has suspended until the end of 1983 advance payments of certain subsidies. However, traders can apply for advance payments to be made when the suspension ends. The measure does not affect the normal payment of subsidies on completion of the necessary formalities.

Mr. Rogers

Will the Minister accept that this is yet another symptom of the virtual bankruptcy of the European Community because of the common agricultural policy? Will the Government press for fundamental reform of this policy before the Prime Minister capitulates on the raising of own resources?

Mr. Jopling

The cash crisis in the Community has been signalled by successive British Ministers in several of the Community's Councils for many years. It cannot have come as a surprise. The post-Stuttgart talks, in which some of us have been heavily involved in recent weeks, stem entirely from the welcome decision at the European Council meeting in Stuttgart to put the house in order. This is what we are trying to do.