§ 12. Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost of the common agricultural policy in pounds sterling in the Council's draft 1987 budget; what reduction there will be in this amount as a result of the recent agreement on alterations for milk and beef; what further reduction in common agricultural policy costs arising from the agreement there will be in 1988; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JoplingThe provision in the 1987 draft budget for expenditure under the common agricultual policy is about £16.7 billion. The measures agreed by the Agriculture Council on 16 December are expected to reduce expenditure by some £650 million in 1987 and £230 million in 1988.
§ 39. Dr. McDonaldasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the National Farmers Union concerning his proposals for reform of the common agricultural policy.
§ Mr. JoplingI have received a number of representations from the National Farmers Union about the reform of the common agricultural policy, including those reforms agreed at the Agriculture Council on 13–16 December.
§ 43. Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next expects to discuss the structure proposals at the Council of Agriculture Ministers.
§ Mr. JoplingThe timetable for further discussion of the socio-structural proposals is now a matter for the Belgian presidency. However, I expect further Council discussion of the package in the next few weeks.
§ 45. Mrs. Shieldsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the impact on 723W employment and the rural economy in areas of Britain affected by milk quotas of the recent common agricultural policy agreement.
§ Mr. GummerIt is not possible to judge precisely what will be the effect on employment and the rural economy of the measures agreed by the Council of Ministers last month. But they should create a greater long term stability in the dairy sector by bringing supply into better balance with demand.
§ 46. Mr. Leighasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now in a position to give further details of the savings to the Community's budget as a result of the agreement on reform of the common agricultural policy by the Council of Agriculture Ministers.
§ Mr. JoplingThe Commission has estimated that the agreement on milk and beef, including the programme for disposal of butter stocks with deferred reimbursement to member states, will reduce Community expenditure as follows:
mecu 1987 -1,020 1988 -490 1989 -245 The Committee has also stated that the new socio-structural measures, which the Council agreed in principle, could result in net savings to the Community budget of about 520 mecu a year when fully in operation.