HC Deb 26 May 1971 vol 818 cc170-1W
Mr. Molyneaux

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) to what extent he expects the Northern Ireland Milk Marketing Board will be able to exercise all its present functions in the event of United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community; and what changes he anticipates will have to be made in its structure and operation to make it compatible with European Economic Community regulations;

(2) to what extent he expects the Northern Ireland Seed Potato Marketing Board will be able to exercise all its present functions in the event of United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community; and what changes he anticipates will have to be made in its structure and operation to make it compatible with European Economic Community regulations;

(3) to what extent he expects the Northern Ireland Pigs Marketing Board will be able to exercise all its present functions in the event of United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community; and what changes he anticipates will have to be made in its structure and operation to make it compatible with European Economic Community regulations;

(4) to what extent he expects the Northern Ireland Livestock Marketing Commission will be able to exercise all its present functions in the event of United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community; and what changes he anticipates will have to be made in its structure and operation to make it compatible with European Economic Community regulations.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

All these four bodies are the responsibility of the Government of Northern Ireland. In the event of United Kingdom accession to the European Economic Community I would expect the position of the three marketing boards to be similar to that of marketing boards set up under United Kingdom legislation. On this, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's statement during the debate on the European Economic Community on 21st January. I see no reason why the Livestock Marketing Commission for Northern Ireland should not be permitted to continue its present functions.—[Vol. 809, c. 1323–4.]