GATT (Hansard, 28 October 1993)

§ 2. Mr. Whittingdale
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the discussions on agricultural trade in the current GATT round.

§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard
The Government are making every effort worldwide to maintain the momentum of the GATT negotiations so that a conclusion to the Uruguay round can be reached by 15 December.

§ Mr. Whittingdale
Does my right hon. Friend agree that thousands of jobs depend upon the successful outcome of the GATT talks and that trade in agriculture is central to that success? Will she remind our Community partners of that fact and, in particular, remind the French when she next has the opportunity to do so?

§ Mrs. Shephard
I reassure my hon. Friend that, on several occasions, I have already reminded my European Community counterparts, and in particular my French counterpart, that far more depends on the successful outcome of the GATT negotiations than agriculture, France or, indeed, the EC. It is a question of the liberalisation of world trade. The successful conclusion of the round would boost that trade by $213 billion. The EC is the world's largest exporter and everybody stands to gain. It is essential that there is a successful conclusion to the GATT round by the end of December.

§ Mr. Skinner
What a load of claptrap. Almost every day that passes one hears Government Ministers talk about GATT and the level playing field. When that is discussed 960 by the people who represent the farmers, what does it really mean? It means that Britain, with its climatic conditions, is going to compete with Mediterranean countries and California, which can grow——

§ Madam Speaker
Order. I heard only a quarter of a question. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman has a proper question to put to the Minister.

§ Mr. Skinner
When will they realise that if they want to ensure a balance of payments surplus in Britain we cannot have a level playing field for agricultural produce from here? Intervention will always be the name of the game. All those Tory Members who represent the shire counties will back the farmers to the hilt. It has all been a load of baloney from beginning to end.

§ Mrs. Shephard
Perhaps I could thank the hon. Gentleman for his illuminating and meaningful contribution to this afternoon's affairs. The question is about GATT and if he had taken a moment to study either the question of my hon. Friend or, indeed, my answer he would have known that British agriculture stands to gain everything from a successful conclusion to the GATT round and the liberalisation of world trade. I hope that the hon. Gentleman does better next time.