HC Deb 18 April 1972 vol 835 cc45-6W
Mr. Dixon

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to favour the proposed limit of $285 million per annum on the amount that the European Agricultural Fund should spend on the structural reform of agriculture.

Mr. Prior

This is the present limit on expenditure from the Guidance Section of the Fund in the existing Community. There is provision in the Treaty of Accession for its adaptation to take account of the needs of the enlarged Community, but its adaptation has not yet been discussed.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent, under the existing rules and regulations of the European Economic Community, Great Britain on entry will be able to introduce legislation without consultations with the Community to control the quality and strength of bottled fruit drinks to enable the housewife to determine whether she is getting value for money.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

There are already regulations in force in this country which prescribe minimum compositional and labelling requirements for soft drinks whether made from fruit or not.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, under the existing rules and regulations of the European Economic Community, Great Britain will be able to make it an offence to manufacture pet foods which include whale meat and to prevent the import of such foods from the countries of the enlarged Ten.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

There are no powers under existing EEC legislation which would enable us to take such action.