HC Deb 08 April 1986 vol 95 c32W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which European countries there are agricultural attaches; if he will list these attaches; what are their responsibilities; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

There are agricultural attachés in Her Majesty's embassies in the following European countries:

  • Denmark: First Secretary—also covering Norway.
  • France: Counsellor.
  • Federal Republic of Germany: First Secretary.
  • Irish Republic: First Secretary.
  • Italy: First Secretary.
  • Netherlands: First Secretary—also covering Belgium and Luxembourg.
  • Spain: First Secretary.

Their main responsibilities are:

  1. "(a) to report on reactions and attitudes towards developments in European Community agricultural, fisheries and food policies;
  2. (b) to explain United Kingdom policies on agricultural matters and to advise on bilateral questions:
  3. (c) to collect economic, statistical, administrative and technical information and, where appropriate, to assist in promoting United Kingdom food and agricultural exports.

In the office of the United Kingdom permanent representative to the European Community at Brussels there are a Minister, two first secretaries and a second secretary dealing with agricultural matters.