§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to ensure that there is uniformity of milk production and marketing standards and price throughout the EEC; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MorrisAs my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food explained in the debate on 20th February 1975, the Com-56W mission has made proposals for Community requirements concerning the health and hygiene of milk production, both on farms and at dairies, and for common quality and marketing standards for liquid milk. Although there have been no further formal discussions of these proposals in Brussels since that date, the target for their adoption is 1st April 1977. When discussions are resumed; it will remain Government policy to co-operate constructively in working towards measures suitable for adoption. As regards prices, the Act of Accession requires us to apply the full common price levels by the end of the transitional period.
§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any plans to impose a levy on Welsh milk producers during the coming year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe European Commission has announced a series of measures aimed at restoring market equilibrium to the Community milk sector. This includes a proposal to impose a levy throughout the Community on milk delivered to dairies and on milk products sold off farms. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and I will take account of the views of the interests concerned when these measures are discussed in the Council of Ministers later this month.