HC Deb 31 October 1980 vol 991 cc378-9W
Mr. Morgan

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the French failure to observe EEC legislation with regard to the operation of the co-responsibility levy, as reported by the EEC Court of Auditors, he will now review the commitment by farmers in the United Kingdom to contribute to the levy.

Mr. Peter Walker

No. There is nothing in the Court of Auditors' report which would in any way justify the United Kingdom Government, or that of any other member State, relieving milk producers of their contribution to the co-responsibility levy. The criticism of the French Government was with respect to a period of three months during 1977. Since that time, I gather from the Commission, the levy has been charged on French producers.