HC Deb 14 March 1985 vol 75 cc261-2W
23. Sir John Farr

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the present arrangements for disposing of surplus agricultural produce; what are the main uses to which such surpluses are put; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. MacGregor

The main outlets for existing surpluses of agricultural products are by export on to world markets with the use of export refunds, by the incorporation in animal feed with the help of subsidies, and in the case of wine, by distillation into alcohol. There are also a number of other special schemes for surplus disposal. The Government's objective is to achieve improvements in the operation of the CAP so that the production of costly surpluses is avoided.