§ 26. Mr. Winnickasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further discussions he has had with regard to EEC Council of Ministers on the common agricultural policy.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe Council of Ministers discussed the common agricultural policy informally on 26 September and 29 October. I made it clear that the main aim must be to reduce the surpluses by cutting the level of support in real terms.
§ 27. Mr. Ioan Evansasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action has been taken to reduce the United Kingdom's contribution of 613W £1,146.25 million to the common agricultural policy of the EEC; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerReducing total EEC expenditure on agriculture mainly means reducing the surpluses. The decision last June to freeze the price of milk and to allow only very small price increases for other CAP products was a first step in this direction and I am considering what further action might be taken. The United Kingdom's contribution to EEC expenditure is a separate issue which is to be discussed by Heads of Government later this month.
§ 47. Mr. Cryerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a progress report on the negotiations regarding the reform of the common agricultural policy.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe freeze in the milk support prices for 1979–80 and the very low increase for other products was a good start. I shall be looking for further improvements in the context of the renegotiation of the sugar arrangements and the fixing of prices for 1980–81.