§ Mr. Moyleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the European Economic Community have agreed to protect the stability of milk supply in the United Kingdom by agreeing to a permanent nil quota for milk imports from continental Europe into the United Kingdom; and what protection for United Kingdom milk has been agreed.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe discussions with the European Economic Community about liquid milk have been concerned with our need to satisfy ourselves that, if we were members of the Community, we should have an adequate supply of liquid milk for consumers throughout the year. The Community has elucidated the position and, on this understanding, we are satisfied. Quotas were not discussed.
§ Mr. Moyleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the European Economic Community have agreed that the pigmeat market in the United Kingdom should be protected by respecting existing national shares of that market; and by what method the European Economic Community have agreed to safeguard the United Kingdom pigmeat market.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe Community has recognised the desirability of stability in the market for pigmeat in an enlarged Community. It has also accepted our views on the importance of the bacon market and the need for keeping the situation of it under careful review during the transitional period and thereafter.
§ Mr. Moyleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what method the European Economic Community has agreed to protect the price stability of the United Kingdom egg market.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartI would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 29th October, 1970.—[Vol. 805, c. 440.]
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the arrangements to ensure effective contacts with producers in the United Kingdom 44W as part of the annual review procedure in an enlarged European Economic Community will differ from the present arrangements for consultation between Government and national farmers' unions.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe chief difference is that there will be consultation at a Community level in relation to the Community's annual review in addition to the appropriate consultations at a national one.