Agriculture Council (Hansard, 14 November 1984)

§ Mr. Jopling

With my hon. Friend the Minister of State, I represented the United Kingdom at the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels on 12/13 November.

The Council discussed a compromise proposal on the remaining issues in the new structures package. Since further information was needed on the financial provision for structural policy, it was not possible to reach conclusions and discussion will be resumed in December.

Commissioner Pisani reported to the Council on the serious problems in Ethiopia and North Africa generally and on the action already taken by the Community. He commended, in particular, the United Kingdom farmers' "give a tonne" campaign. I expressed our great concern over the current emergency and underlined the United Kingdom Government's support for Community action. The Council will be discussing food aid again on the basis of a paper which the Commission is preparing. I made it clear that the Community's policy on food aid is a matter for the Development Council to decide in the context of development policy generally.

There was a further lengthy discussion on wine, but no progress was possible towards the reform of this regime.

On the milk supplementary levy, I asked the Commissioner for an up-to-date report on the arrangements for implementation in all member states. I asked him also for an assurance that the Commission would take immediate steps if the arrangements for charging levy were not being properly applied in particular member states. In discussion, it was clear that the French Government were not ready to charge the levy this month. I was supported by some other member states in pointing to the unfairness to which this would give rise. With the support of seven member states, including the United Kingdom, the President asked the Commission to change 296W the present rules so that the first collection of levy would relate to the period to the end of December. This was intended to allow all member states to proceed in parallel. The Commission will now be considering the outcome of the Council discussion. When the Commission's decision is known, I shall make a further announcement.

The French Minister drew attention to the problems facing French beef producers and asked for the Council's unanimous agreement to measures taken by the French Government. Along with a number of other Ministers, I made it clear that I was not prepared to approve the French action. The Commissioner said that the French measures did not appear to conform to the treaty and asked for more information on them.

On Dutch gas prices, the Commission confirmed that it had received the information from the Dutch Government and would be considering this issue next week. I emphasised the urgency, given that the winter heating season is upon us.

Finally, the Council discussed further a proposal designed to make a start in harmonising charging for meat inspection in the member states. This is the remaining item from the package of veterinary measures which was otherwise agreed at the June Council. The Council asked the Committee of Permanent Representatives to carry out further work in preparation for next month's Council. We emphasised the importance of early agreement on the harmonisation of inspection standards under the poultry-meat hygiene directive.