HC Deb 02 February 1984 vol 53 cc396-7
Mr. Fisher

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much common agricultural policy expenditure, in both cash and percentage terms, was directed towards the disposal of surpluses in the last 12 months.

Mr. Jopling

Expenditure in the European Community on the disposal of surpluses through export refunds and internal disposal subsidies in 1983 totalled approximately £4,840 million. This represents about 49 per cent. of the cost of the common agricultural policy last year.

Mr. Fisher

How can such enormous surpluses and such ridiculous expenditure possibly help the British consumer? What plans does the Minister have to help the consumer?

Mr. Jopling

I an very concerned about the continuing growth in agricultural expenditure and surpluses. We shall continue to press for the greatest restraint in fixing support prices and for the introduction of strict financial guidelines so that decisions on prices are taken in the light of the available financial resources. Those measures will help the consumer considerably.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, whatever resources are devoted to dealing with surpluses, the British dairy farmer—I met many at the weekend — will under no circumstances accept the Common Market proposal to introduce a super levy on milk production in Britain? Is he aware that if the Government accept such a proposal the dairy farmers will riot and it would be a blatant sell-out of the British dairy sector to the European Community?

Mr. Jopling

I hear what my hon. Friend says. I suspect that if he talks to some of his Scottish Conservative colleagues he will find that the view of the NFU of Scotland is wholly contradictary to his, as it is in favour of having a super levy based on farm quotas.