§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the United States decision to take 82 million acres out of production, much of it for cereals, will be taken into account in the current Council discussion on common agricultural policy prices for cereals for 1983–84; and if he will propose to the Council that the Commission should report on the practicability of a similar step in the European Community.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI have consistently argued in the Council of Ministers that action is needed to bring about a better balance between Community supply and demand for products in structural surplus, including cereals. The best means of achieving this in the long term is through restraint on prices. It is for the Commission to propose any314W classification and definition of local authority public expenditure. The information requested for the remaining years is as follows:
special measures to deal with the immediate problems of surplus production. It is reviewing several possibilities and is well aware of the schemes operated in the United States, but it must be remembered that the United States scheme will financially benefit the United States of America's grain farmers this year and they will be free to produce far more grain next year.