HL Deb 04 May 1993 vol 545 cc25-6WA
Lord Brabazon of Tara

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Luxemburg on 26th and 27th April.

Earl Howe

The meeting of the Agriculture Council of 26th and 27th April, at which my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food represented the United Kingdom, again considered the Commission's proposals for farm prices and related measures for 1993–94 but reached no conclusion and will resume its discussions at its May meeting. The Minister stressed the overriding need for the Council's decisions to keep within the tight constraints on Community expenditure.

During the discussion the Minister urged the Commission to come forward as soon as possible with a proposal for non-rotational set-aside of arable land, and they undertook to do so in time for the Council's next meeting.

The Council formally adopted a decision, agreed in principle at its March meeting, to end the milk co-responsibility levy from 1st April 1993.