HC Deb 19 December 1985 vol 89 c561
13. Mr. Colvin

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the European Commission Green Paper on "Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy."

Mr. Gummer

The Government welcomed the Green Paper and the stress it laid on the importance of price policy in securing a better market balance. We now look to the Commission to make specific proposals adequate to deal with the problems identified.

Mr. Colvin

As a farmer, I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his continued belief in the price mechanism as the best way of controlling surplus output. Has he seen the package of proposals on cereals produced by the Commission since its Green Paper, which in my view discriminates against United Kingdom cereal producers? What changes to those proposals has he in mind to ensure greater equality?

Mr. Gummer

A large number of proposals are obviously not acceptable to us because they discriminate against the pattern of farming in this country and the nature of the cereals that we produce. There is a whole series of items that we would like to see changed. Moreover, we do not believe that the package is adequate to solve the problem, and that has to be done.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

Will the Minister accept that the Green Paper ought to have contained some reference to the problem of food additives, given the real dangers that some people claim are caused to consumers, and particularly to those working in the food sector, who may be exposed to very high levels of food additives?

Mr. Speaker

Order. That question is rather wide of the mark.

Mr. Gummer

If the hon. Gentleman had been present earlier he would have heard our particular discussion on food additives, which do not come under this question.

Mr. Jackson

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that if there were to be quotas in the cereal sector, it would still be necessary to maintain sharp price discipline?

Mr. Gummer

My hon. Friend is right, and only Britain is determined to see that price restraints play a major part in any package of measures. If we do not continue to press for that, we shall have a package that does not work.