HC Deb 03 February 1987 vol 109 cc574-5W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the net additional cost to the national budget expenditure of member states of the European Economic Community in 1987 in consequence of the Council decisions of 16 December on milk and related issues.

Mr. Jopling

It is estimated that the decisions on milk quotas and beef will reduce United Kingdom public expenditure in the financial year 1987–88, including the United Kingdom's net contribution to the Community budget, by about £60 million. The programme for disposing of butter stocks with delayed reimbursement of losses to member states is estimated to have a neutral effect on United Kingdom expenditure, as the delay in reimbursement will be balanced by a saving in contributions to the Community budget. The effects in other member states will depend on their shares of disposals and contributions to the budget.