§ Mr. Bodyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the Government have now reached conclusions on the recommendations of the Committee on Herbage Seed Supplies; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartYes. After careful thought and discussion with organisations representing the United Kingdom herbage seed industry, the Government have decided not to take action138W on the recommendations of the Committee on Herbage Seed Supplies at the present time. Many of these would require statutory intervention but in the Government's view fresh legislation is not in present circumstances necessary or appropriate for dealing with the problems of this industry.
The Government's main objective for the herbage seed industry is that it should be capable of providing our grass farmers with assured supplies from home and abroad of good quality seed, at reasonable prices, of varieties tested under British conditions. In the Government's view this aim can best be achieved by voluntary action initiated by the industry and within the framework of the present law. We have undertaken to discuss with its representatives how such action might be promoted. I would emphasis that a viable home seed production industry producing what the market needs must continue to play an important rôle.
The Government will keep the position of the industry, including home seed production, under close review in the light of the negotiations now going on for entry into the European Economic Community, of developments within the Community and of other factors which may affect the industry's future.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking Lord Donaldson and his colleagues publicly for their valuable work in surveying and analysing the problems of this small but important industry.