§ Mr. Chopeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what was the subsidy per tonne on wheat produced in the United Kingdom in 1983, 1984 and in 1985;
(2) what was the total subsidy on wheat produced in the United Kingdom in 1983, 1984 and 1985.
§ Mr. GummerThere are no subsidies paid directly to producers for cereals production. The market prices of wheat in the United Kingdom are supported by means of a system of intervention purchases, levies on imports and refunds on exports. Details of this expenditure can be found in the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce's annual report for 1983 and 1984. The report for 1985 is due to be published in June.
§ Mr. Chopeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to which countries Britain exported wheat in the last five financial years; and what was the total quantity and value per country in each year.
§ Mr. GummerI will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Chopeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what was the percentage levy on imported wheat for the last financial year; and what is the levy in the current financial year;
(2) what was the percentage levy on imported maize for the last financial year; and what is the levy in the current financial year.
§ Mr. GummerRates of import levy are set daily by the European Commission. The levy is a specific amount representing the difference between world prices and EC344W threshold prices. Simple averages of the daily rates applicable on imports of common wheat into the United Kingdom from third countries during the period April 1984 to March 1985 and April 1985 to mid-March 1986 were £48/tonne and £75/tonne respectively. The corresponding figures for maize were £37/tonne and £62/tonne. These figures are net of the United Kingdom monetary compensatory amounts.