§ Mr. Bodyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the European Community will decide upon its negotiating position for the forthcoming renegotiation of the International Sugar Agreement scheduled to take place in May and September 1973.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartAt this stage it is not possible to say when the Community will decide its full negotiating position; but it is important for it to be ready to participate actively in the negotiations starting on 7th May.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of the Government towards the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement which lapses in 1975 and towards the International Sugar Agreement which comes up for renegotiation.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe question of imports of sugar after 1974 from the developing countries whose sugar industries are members of the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement must be negotiated with the Community by the Commonwealth Governments concerned under Part III of Protocol 22 of the Treaty of Accession. The Government stand by the assurances they have given on this, which are set out in paragraph 112 of Cmnd. 4715. I hope that the International Sugar Agreement will be successfully renegotiated later this year and that the enlarged Community will become a member of it.