HC Deb 28 November 1984 vol 68 c925
16. Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of his initiative calling on the European Commission to review the progress made towards ensuring that environmental concerns are taken into account in common agricultural policies and to identify the scope for further action in this field.

Mr. Waldegrave

I wrote to Commissioner Narjes on 9 October. The Commission is currently considering our initiative. I propose to table a memorandum setting out the United Kingdom position for discussion at the next meeting of the Environment Council on 6 December.

Mr. Carlisle

Does my hon. Friend accept that this important initiative must be carried through to success? Does he also accept that there is no sense in using agriculture grants merely to add to farm surpluses, and every reason to switch grants to support farming that takes account of conservation?

Mr. Waldegrave

I agree with my hon. Friend. Our initiative in the Environment Council is aimed at matching that of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the Agriculture Council and to make a reality of the Community's integration of agricultural and environmental policies.

Dr. David Clark

I welcome the initiative at the EEC. However, does the Minister appreciate that it will affect only a very small part of our agricultural production and will inevitably involve delays? Does he accept that an alternative or additional means to achieve the same ends would be to amend the Wildlife and Countryside Act to empower MAFF to undertake expenditure on the promotion of nature conservancy in the same way as the Act requires water boards to do?

Mr. Waldegrave

Amending the Wildlife and Countryside Act would not alter Common Market law. This proposal aims to do just that. There must, of course, be limits on the expenditure, because, if for no other reason, this country above all does not wish to increase the total Common Market budget. Nevertheless, it is a valuable initiative, which has been widely welcomed.