§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the EEC regulations enabling the payment of formation grants to producers' organisations marketing fruit, vegetables and fish will be implemented.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartRegulation (EEC) No. 1035/72 permits member States to make grants to fruit and vegetable producers' organisations during the three years after their formation. It specifies a maximum grant for each of those three years equivalent to 3 per cent., 2 per cent. and 1 per cent. respectively of the value of the produce marketed by the members prior to the formation of the organisation. My right hon. Friends propose to make grants up to the maximum but not exceeding 60 per cent., 40 per cent. and 20 per cent. respectively of the actual costs incurred in each of the three years.
These grants will be available from 1st April 1973 in respect of producers' organisations formed since 1st January 1973. Applications under Regulation (EEC) No. 1035/72 will be made to the Central Council for Agriculture and Horticultural Co-operation which will make recommendations for payments to the Agricultural Ministers. The decision on payment of a grant and the mechanisms of payment will rest with Ministers and their respective Departments.
Regulation (EEC) No. 2142/70 permits the payment of grants on a similar basis to fisheries producers organisations in the three years immediately following recognition. My right hon. Friends propose to make these available to such organisations. In fishery cases applications for assistance will be handled direct by our respective Departments.