HC Deb 21 March 1979 vol 964 c664W
Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals have been agreed to by the EEC for the inclusion of cotton growing in the common agricultural policy.

Mr. Bishop

Cotton is important to the livelihood of some Greek farmers. So the Community has agreed that, after Greek accession, the existing EEC arrangements for subsidising production of cotton seed should be replaced by an aid for raw cotton. The estimated net cost is about 9 mua per annum. It is agreed that existing trade arrangements and the competitive position of manufacturers using raw cotton must not be affected.