§ 40. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will arrange for the representatives of the milk producers and distributors including the Co-operative Societies in the United Kingdom to be consulted before agreeing to or negotiating for Great Britain's compliance with the European Economic Community regulations under which there will be only two grades of milk for liquid consumption, based on butter fat percentages: whether these organisations will be able to retain the present system; and what advice he is giving to the milk industry on this matter.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartWe consulted the National Farmers' Union, the Milk Marketing Boards and the Milk Distributive Council—now the Dairy Trade Federation—which includes representatives of the Co-operative Milk Trade Association, on these matters in March, 1971, and again later, and we shall continue to keep in close touch with them. I would also refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Ham, South (Mr. Oram) on 22nd February.—[Vol. 831, c. 263–4.]
§ 42. Mr. John Wellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if agreement has been reached with the Brussels Commission on the level of compensatory amounts for apples and pears to be introduced on 1st February, 1973, under Article 65 of the Accession Treaty; what percentage increase is expected in retail prices for apples and pears under that Article; and what calculations have been made to project producer prices for United Kingdom apples and pears and to ascertain whether this will exceed the basic Community prices.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartDetailed discussions with the E.E.C. Commission have not yet taken place.
§ 43. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under Protocol 17 of the Treaty of Accession referring to the importation of sugar after 1st March, 1975, whether he will give an assurance that it remains his policy to give first priority 62W to home sugar production; and by what percentage he estimates home production of sugar can rise after that date.
§ Mr. PriorThe precise scope for increased production after 1974 will depend on the Community's definitive sugar regime, which has yet to be negotiated. But it is certainly my aim to secure for our farmers a fair share of the opportunities which will be available.
Mr. Mark Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of current trends and short-term prospects for world and European Economic Community prices, he will now reassess the estimate contained in the White Paper on entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. PriorI would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Ashton) and others earlier today.
§ Mr. Strangasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set up a committee to report on the main changes required to the common agricultural policy to reflect to a greater extent the interests of British consumers and producers.
§ Mr. John Wellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the concern in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa that their apples and pears exported to the United Kingdom during the summer period will be subject to compensatory amounts when basic European Economic Community prices are applicable, and that these compensatory amounts will restrict supplies of such fruit to the United Kingdom thereby increasing prices; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartI am aware of the views expressed by these countries. The details of the system have yet to be worked out, including the period during which the compensatory amounts are applicable.