§ Mr. Bodyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, before agreeing to any steps being taken to increase the levies that the Eggs Authority may charge poultry producers, he will ask the authority to submit a report to him on the value and cost of its generic advertising.
§ Mr. BishopIn determining the rate of levy for the year 1977–78 the views of the authority and of the representatives of appropriate bodies about all the functions of the Authority including advertising will be taken into account.
§ Mr. Gwynfor Evansasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the amount paid by egg producers under the Eggs Authority levy, and how this is expressed in terms of 1,000 chicks each; what is his assessment of the value that this brings to the British egg producers; and if he will make a statement on any proposals to reduce the levy to egg producers.
§ Mr. BishopThe latest estimate of the amount producers will pay in 1976–77 is £1.6 million; this is based on the current levy of £35 per 1,000 chicks. The authority was set up in 1971 with certain functions; in order to enable it to continue to carry out these functions a levy on producers is necessary. The amount of the levy required is determined each year after consultation with representatives of interested bodies. The levy applicable for the year 1977–78 is currently being considered and a decision will be made shortly.