HC Deb 21 November 1991 vol 199 cc410-1
7. Sir John Farr

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what new plans he has to improve returns in the beef industry.

Mr. Curry

Returns in the beef sector can be improved only if a better balance between supply and demand is brought about on the market, and producers take positive action to supply what the consumer wants.

Sir John Farr

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer, but is he aware of the tremendous concern over the Irishification of British agriculture, and in particular of the despondence over the fact that the most efficient producers have their production capped, which only succeeds in putting up prices to the British housewife? When he next goes to Brussels to see Mr. MacSharry, will my hon. Friend make it clear that his proposals are unacceptable, and will he give real consideration to the possibility of Britain withdrawing altogether from the operation and manipulations of the CAP?

Mr. Curry

On the last point, the United Kingdom is an integral part of the Community, and unilateral withdrawal from one part of it is not a practical policy. My right hon. Friend the Minister and I have said, since the introduction of Mr. MacSharry's proposals, that the idea of introducing capping and limits on what was eligible for repayment was fundamentally hostile to British agriculture. We have made that view apparent from the start, and will continue to do so as forcefully as we conceivably can.

Mr. Corbett

I urge the Minister to take cooking lessons so that he can more properly take a share of household duties. Will he confirm that the best way to improve returns for beef producers is for the Government to give a lead in helping to move this trade from one that is on the hoof to one that is on the hook, so that beef producers can get full value for what they produce?

Mr. Curry

The hon. Gentleman will know that there is a significant British export trade. We have recently got British beef back into CAP reform for the first time for a number of years, which is a significant improvement to the situation. If meat is sold on the hook, like sheepmeat, the added value comes to the United Kingdom, but if people wish to buy British beef or British lamb on the hoof, the treaty of Rome does not permit us to prevent that sale. Furthermore, if that is what people want, we can make sure that when it is transported in good condition, it arrives in good condition, healthy and good both for the consumer and the animals concerned.

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

How many more years will it take my hon. Friend to discover the obvious truth—that the only way in agricultural produce to relate supply and demand is by a quota system, such as that which exists for milk products?

Mr. Curry

I remember the introduction of milk quotas and I recall the number of times that we have been obliged to cut the quotas because of the continued failure to match output with demand. We are faced with yet a new demand for a cut in milk quotas and it is precisely for that reason that it will take a long time to convince me that quotas are the answer.

Dr. David Clark

Can the Minister explain why major British steak restaurants do not use a single ounce of European beef and say that this is because it lacks quality, when we have almost 1 million tonnes in intervention?

Mr. Curry

Since I do not run any steak restaurants the answer to that is no. But I can tell them where they will get extremely good quality English beef, starting in my constituency. As I was buying fish early this morning, I shall undertake to bring the hon. Gentleman a sample of beef from my constituency where I live.

Mr. Jopling

Is my hon. Friend aware that beef producers in the Lake district who, together with sheep producers, are having a difficult time, are rejoicing today following yesterday's announcement of the extension of the environmentally sensitive area scheme to the Lake district? The promise of many millions of pounds coming to their assistance demonstrates clearly that the Government are well aware of their problems and the need to preserve those beautiful areas.

Mr. Curry

I entirely agree with my right hon. Friend. I recall that the first ESAs were designated when he was Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, so he is very much the author of the scheme. It is true that the scheme brings benefits to farmers, the landscape and all who live in and visit the countryside. It is rare to have a scheme that makes everyone happy, but this appears to be one of the few instances where that is so. I hope that we can discover more.