HC Deb 05 July 1984 vol 63 c455
11. Mr. Leigh

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on sugar beet quotas.

Mr. MacGregor

The current quotas for sugar were agreed in 1981 and run until the end of the 1985–86 season.

Mr. Leigh

With British agriculture desperately needing new outlets, and one or more of the 13 British sugar factories in danger of closing, is it not nonsense for Britain, alone of all the EEC countries, to have a quota in sugar that does not cover consumption? In our case, it covers only 50 per cent. At the very least, will my hon. Friend press the Council of Ministers for restoration of the 200,000 tonne cut in quotas imposed in 1981?

Mr. MacGregor

The 1981 agreement was designed to secure a fair balance between United Kingdom beet growers and the ACP countries, to whom we also owe an obligation. The Commission has made it clear that it does not envisage changing the quotas that have been agreed to run until 1985–86. One problem is that if we were to try to unscramble the quotas now it would not necessarily be only British interests that would be taken into account. There is a danger that the question of other member states' interests would also be reopened.

Mr. Freud

Will the Minister assure the House that at the next knot of negotiations he will at least ensure that the farmers of this country retain the current sugar beet quotas?

Mr. MacGregor

We are talking about negotiations for the 1985–86 quotas. It is too early to decide our policy in detail. As for other commodities, we shall obviously wish to restrain Community surpluses, and that must be taken into account. We shall want a fair deal for United Kingdom producers. We must continue to ensure that there is a fair balance on the United Kingdom market between beet and cane sugar.

Mr. Onslow

Can we take it from my hon. Friend's reply that he recognises that it is in the interests of the British consumer, and of the Commonwealth, that he should not impose any further penalties on sugar produced in the Caribbean countries?

Mr. MacGregor

I think I have indicated that, when the time comes, we shall endeavour to ensure a fair balance, such as we attempted to achieve for the United Kingdom beet growers and Commonwealth suppliers in 1981.

Mr. Mark Hughes

Will the Minister make it absolutely clear that he is not prepared to sell the cane sugar producers' quota to satisfy a temporary pressure on the beet sector?

Mr. MacGregor

We are talking about a period that is still some years ahead, and we must bear that in mind. I am sure the hon. Gentleman will agree that what I have said shows that we shall endeavour to achieve a fair balance.