§ Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Council of Agriculture Ministers' meeting held in Brussels on 22 to 23 April; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JoplingWith my hon. Friend the Minister of State in my Department, I represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Agriculture Council on 22 and 23 April 1985.
The Italian presidency presented a paper on 1985–86 CAP prices which they hoped might facilitate progress. However, it became clear during the meeting that it did not form the basis for a settlement.
Discussion will resume at the next meeting of the Council beginning on 2 May. Further compromise proposals from the presidency and/or the Commission are expected to be put forward. The President has stated that this meeting will continue for so long as is necessary to reach a conclusion.
The Council agreed to extend the 1984–85 marketing years for beef and veal, sheepmeat, milk products, dried fodder and cauliflowers to 5 May.