HC Deb 19 February 1971 vol 811 cc577-8W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the British Wool Marketing Board will be able to continue its operations in the event of the United Kingdom becoming a member of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

As my right hon. Friend said in the debate in the House on 21st January, 1971, the Government believe that the marketing boards, including the British Wool Marketing Board, will continue to play an important role in promoting efficient production and marketing.—[Vol. 809, c. 1323–4.]

Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what studies he has made of the minimum size of a viable farm unit expressed in terms of standard man-days in the event of Great Britain entering the European Economic Community;

(2) what trends he expects to occur in relation to the viability of small farms in the case of the United Kingdom entering the European Economic Community.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

Entry into the European Economic Community would offer possibilities of increasing production to efficient small farmers in most sectors. In general, farm businesses with 275 standard man-days, which is taken to be the equivalent of a year's work for one man, would be no less viable in the event of entry than they are at present. The effect on individual producers will obviously depend on many factors including their ability to respond to changes in prices and costs.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what diminution or increase he expects in the number of farm units in the United Kingdom in the event of Great Britain entering the European Economic Community.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

In the absence of further incentives for farm amalagamations, the number of full-time farms in the United Kingdom is likely to continue declining at about the recent rate of 2 per cent. a year, whether or not we enter the Community.

My right hon. Friend is however reviewing our own measures for encouraging the creation of larger farms, and proposals to provide further incentives in this field are under consideration in the European Economic Community. I cannot anticipate the outcome of these studies.