§ Lord O'HAGANasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the system for raising and paying the EEC's co-responsibility levy is equally applied in all member states; and what action (10 they propose to take to ensure that the interest of British dairy farmers are not prejudiced.
The MINISTER of STATE, MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES and FOOD (Earl Ferrers)I have no evidence that any member state is not raising the co-responsibility levy from producers in the proper manner and taking appropriate action to ensure that these sums are paid over without delay. I do not believe, therefore, that the interests of British dairy farmers are being prejudiced. The criticism of the French Government by the European Community Court of Auditors was with respect to a period of three months in 1977. Since that time, I understand from the Commission that the levy has been charged on French producers.
House adjourned at twenty-five minutes before eight o'clock.