§ 44. Mrs. Wiseasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in the interests of farmers and consumers, he will now reintroduce the system of guaranteed prices and deficiency payments for the main foodstuffs.
§ Mr. PeartThe guarantees for milk, sheep and wool, pigs, potatoes and cereals are still in operation. I could not consistently with the Act of Accession re-introduce guaranteed prices and deficiency payments for other major commodities. But I have recently negotiated and announced variable premia for beef which provide producers with an assured return.