§ Mr. Tierneyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of the Council of Ministers on 16th-17th February.
§ Mr. PeartThe Council had a more detiled discussion of the Commission's price and other proposals for 1976–77. It was decided to meet again from 2nd March in order to reach decisions.
In view of this timetable the Council decided that the Community marketing years for milk and beef should begin on 15th March instead of 1st March, and made provision for variable premium arrangements for beef during the two weeks thus added to the period covered by previous decisions. The target price for 1st-14th March will be £25.75 per live cwt. To the extent that the average market price falls short of this target 771W price the difference will be made good by variable premium.
I have made it clear to my colleagues in the Council that in the package of price and other measures provision must be made for the continuation of a variable premium system for beef.