§ Mr. AmosTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to have achieved a 9 per cent. devaluation of the green pound; what steps he proposes to take to reduce the competitive disadvantages currently suffered by British farmers within the EEC; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregor[holding answer 15 April 1988]: Devaluations of green currencies are generally best made in the context of the annual price fixing, when their effect 338W on consumers and taxpayers, as well as on farmers, can be properly assessed. I have made it clear to the Agriculture Council that some devaluation is justified in the current price-fixing and will be pressing for it. In the pigmeat sector, where MCAs are creating rather than preventing distortions, I am pressing for the abolition of our MCAs, but there are conflicting views within the Council and this will not be easy to achieve.