§ Mr. Colin Shepherdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Council of Agriculture Ministers' meeting in Brussels on 12 May; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerYesterday's meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers considered a number of points arising out of the price fixing negotiations.
It was agreed, as a result of pressure from the United Kingdom, that the increase in the intervention price for raw sugar should be 7.5 per cent., one percentage point less than the price increase for white sugar. This will improve the margin of the United Kingdom cane refiner.
The Council also discussed the arrangements for implementing a modification in the calculation of clawback on sheepmeat in intra-Community trade. We emphasised the importance of this to the United Kingdom and the urgent need to implement this element in the price fixing settlement. The Commission will be putting forward proposals as soon as possible. Despite French queries about their legality, the Commission confirmed that it was satisfied that its proposals would be within its powers.
The Council also discussed the use of hormones in food producing animals. No final decisions were taken But the Council accepted in principle that the use of stilbenes and thyrostatic substances, whether as growth promoters or for therapeutic purposes, should be banned throughout the Community. The use of thyrostatic substances is already prohibited in the United Kingdom.