§ Mr. McLoughlinasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Council of Agriculture Ministers' meeting held in Luxembourg on 27–28 April; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JoplingI represented the United Kingdom at this Council, which was devoted entirely to a further discussion of the Commission's proposals for agricultural prices and support measures for 1987–88. There remains considerable divergence between member states' views on a number of crucial issues, including the degree of price restraint to be applied, agrimonetary measures and the proposed tax on oils and fats. I took the opportunity to make clear that I would be looking for a green pound devaluation larger than that proposed by the Commission.
The Council will resume its discussions on 18 May.