HC Deb 10 December 1981 vol 14 c482W
25. Sir Russell Fairgrieve

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how effective the less favoured areas directive has been in encouraging production from the defined United Kingdom less favoured areas.

Mr. Peter Walker

The principle objective of the Community's less favoured areas directive (75/268/EEC) is not to encourage production but to authorise member States to compensate farmers in less favoured areas in order to ensure the continuation of farming in those areas.