§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he intends to take to put milk production on a sound commercial basis; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Spenceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement, on the basis of the present known costs of food for dairy cows; how much per gallon extra the dairy farmer needs to cover the extra cost of feed for the year to April 1975; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PeartCompound feed prices have fallen slightly, but the outlook for the autumn and winter is too uncertain for a firm forecast to be possible at this stage. I intend in the autumn to review the situation of the dairy industry with the industry's representatives. My purpose will be to establish what needs to be done to ensure that the dairy industry can play its full part in the future expansion of agricultural production, and I shall be ready to take whatever action is necessary to achieve that.
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§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the maximum price increase this autumn available to milk producers under the terms of the Treaty of Accession.
§ Mr. BishopThe relevant provisions of the Treaty of Accession are not precise. If the Government decide this autumn that returns to milk producers need to be increased, they will discuss as necessary with the Community institutions how this should be implemented.