§ Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the arrangements for the outgoers scheme for 1986–87.
§ Mr. GummerThe proposal for a Community outgoers scheme is still being considered by the Council of Ministers. It is too early to give any indication of how the scheme, if adopted, would operate, but I am concerned that any such scheme should reflect the interests of all concerned and operate fairly throughout the Community.
The outgoers scheme for England and Wales remains open for the time being.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate the commission has made of the increased production of other commodities if its proposals for a new outgoers scheme for dairy farmers is implemented.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to his reply, 4 March 1986, c. 89]: In the financial analyses of the proposed Community outgoers scheme and the price fixing proposals, the Commission has estimated that beef production will increase by around 120,000 tonnes in 1986–87. However, it anticipates a fall during subsequent years since there will be fewer calves produced by the dairy herd and therefore fewer adult cattle slaughtered at two to three years.
No quantitative estimate of the effects on other agricultural production is given.