Mr. John David Taylorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the proposed European Economic Community market support scheme for the nephrops industry; whether the scheme would be optional; whether under the scheme the grading by size of nephrops would be optional; what representations he has made to the European Economic Community Commission on this matter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe Government have received a range of representations on market support for nephrops following the agreement on the accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Community.
Discussions on the European Commission's detailed scheme for private storage aid for this species have only just commerced and I have undertaken to keep interested parties informed as they proceed.