HC Deb 03 May 1974 vol 872 cc237-8W
29. Mr. Sedgemore

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantities of which foodstuffs were denatured under EEC regulations during the past 12 months and at what cost to Great Britain; and what proposals he will make on the subject during the renegotiation of the terms of the Treaty of Rome.

Mr. Peart

During the 12 months ended 31st January some 2.4 million tons of wheat and 20,000 tons of skimmed milk powder were denatured in the United Kingdom. Subsidy payments totalling about £17 million were met from the Community's Guidance and Guarantee Fund. On 10th February last the denaturing subsidy on wheat was reduced to nothing and no denaturing of wheat has taken place since that date. We shall want to consider all the methods of support used under the common agricultural policy in establishing our proposals for its reform which we shall put forward during the renegotiation.