HC Deb 19 March 1982 vol 20 c207W
Mr. Myles

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the eventuality of no agreement being reached by the beginning of the livestock year on the level of support for sheepmeat, he will ensure that retrospective payments may be made to any producer who markets his fat sheep in the new livestock year before such new level of support is fixed.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

In the event that the Council of Ministers fails to reach agreement in the price fixing negotiations before the start of the new marketing year for sheep, scheduled for 5 April, interim arrangements will be for the Council to decide. It has not been the Council's practice to make annual increases in support prices apply retrospectively.