HC Deb 04 June 1984 vol 61 cc4-5
3. Mr. Best

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many hectares of land were added in the recent extension of less-favoured areas designation in Wales; and what proportion of the total agricultural land is now covered by the less-favoured areas criteria.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

The decision by the Council of Ministers on 28 February to extend the United Kingdom's less-favoured areas added 389,600 hectares to the 967,000 hectares originally designated in Wales. Some 80 per cent. of the agricultural land in the Principality is now designated as less favoured.

Mr. Best

Is that not just one more example of the great success that this Government can have in Europe in trying to achieve benefits for the people of Wales as members of the EEC? Is my right hon. Friend aware that the decision is widely welcomed throughout the Principality, particularly in Anglesey? Is my right hon. Friend further aware of the anomalies in the boundaries and in how they differentiate between areas designated as less-favoured areas and areas not so designated? Is there any chance of that being looked into so that such anomalies are ironed out?

Mr. Edwards

About 9,000 farmers in the newly-designated areas of Wales are expected to benefit, including about 700 farmers in Anglesey. Representations can he made about boundaries. However, the boundaries were settled after a prolonged period of consideration and any changes would have to be submitted to the European Commission. It would be wrong to hold out hope that changes could be made swiftly or extensively.

Mr. Geraint Howells

What advice can the Secretary of State give to beef and sheep producers in the less-favoured areas if they decide to go for dairy farming instead? Will he give an assurance to beef and sheep producers in Wales that he will not introduce quotas while he is Secretary of State for Wales?

Mr. Edwards

I do not think that beef or sheep producers will switch to dairy farming at present. The question, therefore, does not arise. I cannot say what future Community regimes may require.

Mr. Coleman

If, as the hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Mr. Best) says, the Government's policy is such a great success, why is so much milk flowing down the drains in Wales?

Mr. Edwards

That is because the European Community, over a considerable period, has managed a system which has produced surpluses which cannot be disposed of. This Government have, for a number of years, urged a reform of that system. I do not believe that the hon. Member supports a system which, at vast public cost, produces surpluses that cannot be disposed of.

Dr. Roger Thomas

To what extent have the advantages of the less-favoured areas been completely dispelled by the iniquitous milk agreement reached at the end of March?

Mr. Edwards

There is no doubt that there are real advantages to large parts of Wales, including the hon. Gentleman's constituency, which is now substantially included in the less-favoured areas, and that this designation will be of particular assistance at a time when a number of milk producers will have to change their systems or switch to other forms of production.

Mr. Roy Hughes

Is the Secretary of State aware that many people are concerned about what is to happen to agricultural land in Wales which is suitable only for dairy farming, and, more importantly, what is to happen to the dairy farmers, who feel that they have been badly treated? Why can a little republic such as Ireland achieve a much better deal? Where is the bargaining power of the British Government in Europe?

Mr. Edwards

I am certain that the scheme that we announced before the recess for helping smaller producers with 40 cows or fewer will be of particular assistance to Wales and will enable producers to maintain their outputs at 1983 levels.