HC Deb 06 June 1972 vol 838 cc60-6W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he had with the interested parties on Regulation 2501/71/EEC of 22nd November, 1971, amending Regulation No. 787/67/EEC on the methods of purchasing olive oil by intervention agencies; what machinery exists under which those parties can propose alterations or amendments; and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it.

Mr. Prior

As this Regulation concerns only Member States producing olive oil, discussions here were not required. It is always open to interested parties to make representations about changes in Community law either to their own Governments or as members of the appropriate European organisations. Community law once enacted can be amended only by Community institutions.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he had with the interested parties on Regulation 2495/71/EEC of 19th November, 1971, on the procedure relating to imports of olive oil from Tunisia; what machinery exists under which those parties can propose alterations or amendments; and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it.

Mr. Prior

As this Regulation does not affect British industry, no discussions outside the Department were required. It is always open to interested parties to make representations about changes in Community law either to their own Governments or as members of the appropriate European organisations. Community law once enacted can be amended only by Community institutions.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he had with the interested parties on Directive 71/393/EEC of 18th November, 1971, Second Directive of the Commission laying down methods of Community analysis for the official control of animal feeding stuffs; what machinery exists under which those parties can propose alterations or amendments; and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

In reply to a Question by the hon. Member on 25th May I said that consultations were being held with all the interests concerned with the application of the methods of analysis contained in Directive 71/393. These consultations follow the well-established pattern whereby organisations representing the trade, farming and enforcement interests are invited to comment on and suggest amendments to proposals for national legislation on feeding stuffs. Their views will be taken fully into account in any discussions between my Department and the Commission on this measure.

Incorporation into our national law of methods of analysis for the official verification of certain constituents of animal feeding stuffs, such as those contained in Directive 71/393, can be effected by Orders made under existing United Kingdom legislation and laid before Parliament under the negative Resolution procedure.—[Vol. 837, c. 465–6.]

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he had with the interested parties on Regulation 2808/71/EEC of 23rd December, 1971, Supplementing Annex 1 to Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 1109/71 of 28th May, 1971, concerning the rules establishing the entry price for certain fishery products; what machinery exists under which those parties can propose alterations or amendments; and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

There have been no discussions to deal specifically with Regulation 2808/71. There will be a continuing dialogue between Her Majesty's Government and the Commission on the changes that may need to be made to the levels fixed in respect of a number of Community pricing arrangements for fish, in order to take account of the changed situation following enlargement.

It is always open to interested parties to make representations about changes in Community law either to their own Governments or as members of the appropriate European organisations. Community law once enacted can be amended only by Community institutions.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he had with the interested parties on Regulation 2469/71/EEC of 17th November, 1971, amending Regulation (EEC) No. 757/71 on detailed rules of application concerning the amount to be charged on exports of denatured skim milk powder or compound feeding stuffs; what machinery exists under which those parties can propose alterations or amendments; and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

No discussions have been held with interested parties on this regulation which strengthens the provisions for recovery, on export from the European Economic Community, of subsidies paid on skimmed milk powder that has been denatured, or on compound feeding stuffs which include subsidised skimmed milk powder.

It is always open to interested parties to make representations about changes in Community law either to their own Governments or as members of the appropriate European organisations. Community law once enacted can be amended only by Community institutions.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he had with the interested parties on Regulation 2732/71/EEC of 20th December, 1971, amending Regulation (EEC) No. 876/68 concerning adjustments to be made to refunds fixed in advance for milk and milk products; what machinery exists under which those parties can propose alterations or amendments; and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

No discussions have been held with interested parties. This regulation provides more flexibility in the restitution arrangements.

It is always open to interested parties to make representations about changes in Community law either to their own Governments or as members of the appropriate European organisations. Community law once enacted can be amended only by Community institutions.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he had with the interested parties on Regulation 2814/71/EEC of 23rd December, 1971, amending Regulation (EEC) No. 756/70 on granting aid for processed skim milk intended for the manufacture of casein and caseinates; what machinery exists under which those parties can propose alterations or amendments; and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

No discussions have been held with interested parties on this regulation that reduces the rate of subsidy on Community skimmed milk which is processed into high quality casein and caseinates.

It is always open to interested parties to make representations about changes in Community law either to their own Governments or as members of the appropriate European organisations. Community law once enacted can be amended only by Community institutions.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he had with the interested parties on Regulation 73/72/EEC of 12th January, 1972, amending Regulation (EEC) No. 210/69relating to communications between Member States and the Commission with regard to milk and milk products; what machinery exists under which those parties can propose alterations or amendments; and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

This regulation makes a small change in the arrangements under which Member States provide information to the Commission, and no other parties are involved. However, it is always open to any interests to make representations about proposed changes in Community law either to their own Governments or as members of the appropriate European organisations. Community law once enacted can be amended only by Community institutions.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he had with the interested parties on Regulation 2503/71/EEC of 22nd November, 1971, amending Regulation (EEC) No. 615/71 on the procedure for applying the production refund on olive oil used in the manufacture of certain preserved foods; what machinery exists under which those parties can propose alterations or amendments; and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it.

Mr. Prior

Trade representatives concerned were consulted on Regulation No. 615/71 and saw no difficulty in applying the arrangements for this production refund. The changes made by Regulation No. 2503/71 did not require further consultations. It is always open to interested parties to make representations about changes in Community law either to their own Governments or as members of the appropriate European organisations. Community law once enacted can be amended only by Community institutions.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he had with the interested parties on Regulation 2718/71/EEC of 21st December, 1971, amending the method of calculating the weight of oil seeds;what machinery exists under which these parties can propose alterations or amendments and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it.

Mr. Prior

The small change made by this Regulation in the minimum moisture content to be taken into account when calculating the weight of oilseeds did not require further discussions with the trade. It is always open to interested parties to make representations about changes in Community law either to their own Governments or as members of the appropriate European organisations. Community law once enacted can be amended only by Community institutions.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he had with the interested parties on Regulation 2436/71, of 11th November, 1971, amending for the second time the Regulation (EEC) No. 223/70 relating to the non-levying of countervailing charge on certain imported wines originally in or coming from certain third countries; what machinery exists under which those parties can propose alterations or amendments; and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it.

Mr. Prior

Since, as indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 25th May, the effect of this regulation on United Kingdom interests would be negligible, there have been no discussions. It is always open to interested parties to make representations about changes in Community law either to their own Governments or as members of the appropriate European organisations. Community law once enacted can be amended only by Community institutions.—[Vol. 837. c. 465.]

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he had with the interested parties on Regulation 91/72/EEC of 13th January, 1972, amending Regulation (EEC) No. 1437/70 on storage contracts for table wine; what machinery exists under which those parties can propose alterations or amendments; and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it.

Mr. Prior

Since, as explained in my reply to the hon. Member on 25th May, the situation for which this Regulation provides is not expected to arise in this country, there have been no discussions. It is always open to interested parties to make representations about changes in Community law either to their own Governments or as members of the appropriate European organisations. Community law once enacted can be amended only by Community institutions.—[Vol. 837, c.465.]