HC Deb 06 March 1986 vol 93 c255W
29. Mr. Deakins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the EEC Commission's plans for cereal policies in the coming year; and if he will make a statement.

40. Mr. Hunter

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with European Community partners about controlling cereal productions; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

The Commission has proposed a package of measures for cereals including a price freeze, a co-responsibility levy on sales of cereals off farm and changes to the operation of the intervention system, including quality standards.

In initial discussions of these in the Council on 24 February, I pressed for a price cut instead of the co-responsibility levy, since the latter would as proposed be discriminatory in its application and does nothing to help users of cereals.

34. Mr. Nicholls

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he supports the proposal of the European Commission to impose a co-responsibility levy on cereals; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jopling

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given earlier to the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Deakins).