§ Mr. Pymasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the results of the Council of Ministers (Agriculture) in 19th-20th July.
§ Mr. PeartThe major questions discussed at this Council meeting were the proposed action programme for restoring the balance in the market for milk and milk products, possible interim measures for improving intra-Community trade in sheepmeat, and the effect of the drought on agriculture within the Community.
Most member States set out their views in general terms on the proposed measures for milk. They will be further examined by the Council, with a view to reaching decisions in the early autumn. I made it quite clear that we remain committed to restraint on the common milk price, but would be ready to consider measures of producer co-responsibility subject to a firm prices policy. At the same time I left my colleagues in no doubt that we are totally opposed to the suggested tax on vegetable and marine oils and fats as part of any package of measures to deal with Community milk surpluses.
On sheepmeat there was a discussion of possible improvements in intra-Community trade, including access to the French market. Although there are points on which opinions differ and to which further consideration must be given, the Council recognised that a sufficient measure of agreement existed to enable it to express the firm intention of reaching decisions on interim measures for improving trade in sheep-meat within the Comunity at its September meeting.
On the drought, certain temporary measures to alleviate farmers' difficulties were extended. The Council also decided to introduce a compensatory amount on canned peeled tomatoes, which will benefit United Kingdom consumers, and agreed to take decisions by December on measures for improving the Community's market in hops.