Mr. Jacksonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his reasons for opposing the imposition of quotas on further agricultural commodities within the common agricultural policy.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to his reply, 12 May 1987] The Government do not favour the introduction of quotas. They tend to rigidify production patterns and inhibit enterprise. Unlike action on prices, quotas provide no benefit to consumers. Because of our farm structure, with average farms five times the EC average, quotas are also likely to disadvantage the United Kingdom.