HC Deb 18 June 1980 vol 986 cc581-2W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the European Economic Community intervention price and the United Kingdom guaranteed price would be determined under the proposed sheepmeat regime ; if the United Kingdom guaranteed price will be decided by an appropriate European Economic Community body ; and, if this is the case, how the new decisionmaking process will differ from the present United Kingdom pattern.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The European Community intervention price is the same as the guide price for the variable premium which will apply in the United Kingdom and replace our existing guarantee. The level of these prices is a matter for the Council of Ministers, the appropriate Community body, acting on a proposal from the European Community Commission. The change in the decision-making process will be similar to that which took place for other CAP commodities after we joined the Community.

Mr. Deakins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is the market price in a member State or the market price in the European Economic Community which will trigger intervention under the new sheepmeat regime.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Both the market price in a member State and the average market price in the Community will need to be below the intervention level to trigger intervention buying in that member State.