§ Mr. Johnasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects a final decision to be made on the operation of the cereals co-responsibility levy in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JoplingThe cereals coresponsibility levy applies from 1 July to this season's Community grain which undergoes first processing, is exported or is sold into intervention. The operation of the levy in the United Kingdom will be governed by Commission regulations which are expected to be finalised shortly. These will be supplemented by a Statutory Instrument which will he laid before the House as soon as possible thereafter.
§ Mr. Johnasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the operation of the cereals co-responsibility levy in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. JoplingI have received representations from many different sources. I and my officials are in close consultation with the interested trade organisations on how best to operate the levy in the United Kingdom.
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§ Mr. Johnasked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he expects to be the yield of the cereals co-responsibility levy in the United Kingdom; and what the yield would be if the levy were extended (a) to all cereals used in animal feed and (b) to all cereals grown in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. JoplingIt is not possible to predict the yield of the cereals co-responsibility levy in the United Kingdom as this will depend on the size of the harvest and the proportion of that harvest which is processed, exported outside the Community, or put into intervention.
§ Mr. Johnasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the proportion (a) of total cereals produced in the United Kingdom and (b) of cereals used in animal feed which will be liable for co-responsibility levy; and if he will give information on equivalent figures for the European Community.
§ Mr. JoplingI shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Johnasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at what point in the production process the cereals co-responsibility levy will be applied; and what cereals will he exempt from the levy.
§ Mr. JoplingThe cereals co-responsibility levy will be collected on Community grown cereals which either undergo first processing, are exported outside the Community or are bought into intervention. Cereals owned by traders or processors and in store on 30 June 1986 from harvests prior to 1986 will be exempt from levy if an exemption certificate is claimed before 7 July. Cereals imported from outside the Community and cereals sold out of intervention will also be exempt from levy.