HC Deb 29 March 1984 vol 57 c266W
17. Mr. Torney

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the expected slaughter of dairy cows and an estimate of the dairy farmers likely to go out of business because of the proposals agreed by the European Economic Community on cuts in milk production.

Mr. Jopling

The measures agreed by Agriculture Ministers to control milk production would give milk producers a guaranteed quantity for which the Community price support arrangements would apply. Production beyond that would be levied. It would be for individual producers to decide how to limit their production whether by culling cows or reducing yields.

25. Mr. Colin Shepherd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the national farmers unions and the milk marketing boards concerning the implementation of the dairy sector agreement in the Council of Agriculture Ministers of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Jopling

Last week, immediately following the Agriculture Council, I had talks with leaders of the industry about the implementation of the measures to control the milk surplus. Talks have also been held with officials and will be continuing about the administrative and other issues raised in order to find the most appropriate arrangements to apply in the United Kingdom.