§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what repre- 60W sentations have been received requesting a temporary continuation of the publication of average producer return figures for pigmeat, such figures to run in parallel with EEC price reporting figures; what answers have been given, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BishopWhen the Fatstock Guarantee Scheme ends at the end of July we shall no longer ascertain weekly average returns under the scheme. A new system of deadweight price reporting will be used from the beginning of August for reporting United Kingdom prices to the European Commission. The implications of these changes have been discussed with the producer and trade interests concerned and, in the interests of continuity, the Meat and Livestock Commission has agreed to publish temporarily a weekly average price which will be comparable to the average producer return calculated for the purpose of the guarantee scheme.