§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he plans to make to the French Government concerning its proposals to introduce national aid to beef producers.
§ Mr. MacGregorWe share my hon. Friend's concern about the French Government's proposed national aids and we made our views plain at last week's Agricultural Council. The European Commission is responsible for implementing the state aid rules under the EEC treaty. It was made clear to the French and the Council that, in accordance with their obligations under the treaty, they must properly notify their proposed measures to the Commission immediately to enable the Commission to assess their compatibility with the treaty. We made it quite clear that we would not agree to any measures which were not so compatible.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what safeguards he intends to introduce in order to maintain the competitive position of British beef producers in the event that other member states introduce national aids to their own beef producers.
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§ Mr. MacGregorUnited Kingdom beef producers already receive substantial support from a number of measures, including the beef variable premium scheme, intervention and private storage arrangements and payments for suckler cows and hill cows.
The European Commission is responsible for deciding whether a national aid is compatible with the EEC treaty. In the case of any national aids to the beef sector being introduced by another member state, we have urged, and will continue to urge, the Commission to take immediate and positive action to ensure that the state aid rules under the treaty are observed.