§ Mr. JoplingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held on 11 and 12 December; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerI represented the United Kingdom at this meeting of the Council accompanied by my hon. Friend, the Member for Skipton and Ripon (Mr. Curry), Parliamentary Secretary in my Department.
The Council completed its first reading of the Commission's proposals for reform of the CAP. I emphasised that proposals should come forward for those sectors not yet covered such as wine, fruit and vegetables and sugar. It was clear that the Council is still some way from agreement and several Ministers pointed out that final decisions could not be taken until the outcome of the GATT round was known. Discussion is now expected to resume under the Portuguese Presidency in January.
The Commissioner reported on developments in the GATT negotiations which seem now to be coming to a climax. I made clear the United Kingdom aim of a lasting, balanced and genuine reform of agricultural policies worldwide.
The Council agreed by a qualified majority an increase in the maximum level of the suckler cow premium, with three member states, including the United Kingdom, voting against. I argued that increased premiums could be justified only by equivalent or greater savings on intervention, which were not proposed.
The Council noted agreement in principle to two directives on plant health. This represents a most satisfactory outcome to a long, difficult negotiation and a significant step towards the single market.