§ 25. Sir R. Turtonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that the compensatory amounts to be paid by the European Community by way of subsidies on imports of eggs in shell and of poultry meat into the United Kingdom during the transitional period will be based on a correct feed formula; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartIt is our firm intention during forthcoming talks with the Community to ensure that the compensatory amounts should not exceed the actual differences in feed costs between this country and the rest of the enlarged Community.
§ 26 and 46. Mr.Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he is aware that in most of the Common Market countries during the second half of 1971 food prices in general rose by large amounts and, in particular, beef steak rose in Germany by 4½p to 97½p per lb., in Holland to 85½ per lb., in Belgium to 84p per lb. and in France to 81p per lb.; as there are to be further increases of between 5 per cent. to 8 per cent. to meet higher farm costs, how these price increases will affect Great Britain on entry into the European Economic Community; and whether he will make a statement;
(2) whether he is aware that the price of pork rose by up to 5p per lb. during the second half of 1971 in the Common 298W Market countries, necessitating the consumer in France paying 55p per lb. for pork chops; and to what extent these higher prices and those proposed of between 5 per cent. and 8 per cent. will affect the price of this commodity to the British housewife on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. PriorI gave figures for the increases in food prices generally in the Common Market countries in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham (Mr. Moate) on 18th January. As to individual commodities, some prices have increased by larger amounts but I should point out that short-term comparisons can be affected by seasonal and other factors. As to the last part of the Questions, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner).—[Vol. 829, c.102.]
§ 36. Mr. Hoosonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies his Department has conducted in the outlying areas of the Common Market on the workings of the Common Market agricultural intervention price system.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartMy Department is studying the working of the system in the existing member countries, and will take account of their experience, as well as the views of the interests concerned in all parts of the United Kingdom, in determining how best to apply the system here.
§ 37. Mr. Milneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what communication he has had with the Northumberland Fisheries Organisation arising from the fisheries agreement with the European Economic Community and the decision to operate a six-mile limit on the Northumberland coast from Coquet Island to Berwick; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PriorA number of hon. Members have sent me letters received by them from the Northumberland Sea Fisheries Committee covering one from the Northumberland Fishermen's Association. A reply will be sent shortly, of 299W which I shall send the hon. Member a copy.
§ 38. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he can now give concerning the future of statutory marketing boards, including particularly the Hops Marketing Board, following acceptance of the Common Agriculture Policy of the European Economic Community, and the signing of the Treaty of Accession on 22nd January, 1972.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartI expect the essential marketing functions of the Hops
RECEIPTS FROM THE AGRICULTURAL FUND BY COUNTRY 1967–68 TO 1971 £ million (figures in brackets show percentages of total) 1967–68*Guidance Section 2nd half 1969† Guarantee Section 1970 Guarantee Section Payment in advance 1971‡ Guarantee Section Germany … 19.4 (29.0) 127.8 (25.1) 205.9 (29.9) 41.1 (30.4) France … 15.0 (22.5) 150.6 (29.5) 223.8 (32.5) 35.9 (26.5) Italy … 22.0 (32.9) 131.7 (25.8) 79.1 (11.5) 27.5 (20.3) Netherlands … 5.4 (8.1) 70.8 (13.9) 125.2 (18.2) 26.0 (19.2) Belgium … 4.9 (7.3) 28.8 (5.6) 54.9 (8.0) 4.9 (3.6) Luxembourg … 0.04 (0.1) 0.4 (0.1) 0.6 (0.1) — Total … 66.8 (100) 510.1 (100) 689.5 (100) 135.4 (100) * Latest year available. † From 1970, the EEC accounting period was moved to a calendar year basis, thus the period between the end of 1968–69 accounting year and the beginning of 1970 is covered by the figures for the second half of 1969. ‡ First payment under "Ressources Propres" arrangements. Notes:
The accounts for the above years are still open, so further supplementary payments may be made in the future.
Figures may not add to totals on account of roundings.
Sources:
1967–68: French Ministry of Agriculture Bulletin of 6th November, 1971.
1969: EEC Official Journal No. L195 of 2nd September, 1970.
1970: EEC Official Journals Nos. L14 of 18th January, 1971, L161 of 19th July. 1971, L169 of 28th July, 1971, L190 of 24th August, 1971.
1971: EEC Official Journal No. L43 of 1st February, 1971
§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what amendments will be required to current plant health regulations in order to bring about the free movement of agricultural produce in the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartFree movement of agricultural produce does not imply the removal of necessary plant health restrictions. Nor does existing E.E.C. legislation require amendment of our plant health import controls.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food now that the Treaty of Accession to the Rome
300WMarketing Board and the other boards to continue, but there will naturally have to be some changes in the guarantee functions of the boards concerned.
§ 42. Mr. Strangasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT receipts from the Agricultural Fund of the European Economic Community according to country in a form similar to that contained in Command Paper No. 4289.
§ Mr. PriorThe information is as follows:
Treaty has been signed, why he is unable to state the estimated Exchequer cost of the special help which is to be given to the horticultural, agricultural and fruit industries by way of compensation to offset the adverse effects to these industries on Great Britain joining the European Economic Community; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartDiscussions with representatives of horticultural producers have not yet been concluded.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent, under the present rules and regulations of the European Economic 301W Community, Great Britain will, on entry into the European Economic Community, have to adopt the European Economic Community Council directive relating to inter-Community trade in fresh meat; and to what extent the Slaughterhouses (Hygiene) Regulations, the Slaughter of Animals (Prevention of Cruelty) Regulations and the Meat Inspection Regulations will have to be amended.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartMeat exported to other Member States will be subject to the Directive. No amendment of our domestic regulations is needed.