§ Lord LLOYD of KILGERRANasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps have been or will shortly be taken by the Government to participate either through the EEC or independently in the work for implementing the International Undertaking for the World Food Security Project (sometimes known as the " Boerma Plan ") and to report generally on the progress of this report.
488WA
§ Lord BESWICKHer Majesty's Government are, together with other Governments in the European Community, pursuing the International Undertaking on World Food Security in a number of ways. The Community is ready in the context of the present multilateral trade negotiations to negotiate commodity agreements for a number of basic food stuffs, including cereals, which would include provisions for stock-piling linked with price provisions with the object of stabilising the market. Such agreements would help to meet the requirements of that part of the International Undertaking relating to stocks. The International Wheat Council, to which Community Governments belong, has set up a group to examine the implications of introducing a new International Wheat Agreement. Within the FAO, work is proceeding on the examination of technical problems involved in stockpiling. Her Majesty's Government, and the Community as a whole, will play their part in the establishment of the improved system of information on the worldwide position on cereals called for in the Undertaking. These are complex matters and some of them will take time to negotiate but there is every prospect of positive results.