§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) by what date the United Kingdom will be required to introduce the scheme for set-aside for agricultural land agreed at the European Council on 11 to 13 February;
(2) by what date the United Kingdom is required to introduce a scheme for (a) set-aside and (b) extensification of the production of surplus products; and when these decisions were taken in the European Council;
(3) if he has yet introduced an aid scheme designed to encourage the extensification of production, as required by European Council regulation A60/87.
§ Mr. MacGregorIn accordance with the decisions of the European Council, regulation 1760/87 is being superseded by a new regulation providing both for set-aside of arable land and for extensification by reduction of production. The Council of Agriculture Ministers agreed on 8–9 March that set-aside schemes should be introduced by member states within two months of the adoption of the Commission implementing rules, decisions on which are to be taken by 30 April 1988. Extensification is to be implemented by 1 January 1989, but until 31 December 1989 member states may restrict this to beef and veal and to wine.