§ Mr. LeightonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will specify the proposals for agriculture being prompted by the European Economic Community in the Uruguay round of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade negotiations; and when these proposals were approved by the Council of Ministers.
§ Mr. GummerThe Commission's proposals for approaching the negotiations on agriculture in the Uruguay round, approved by the Council on 20 October 1987, are for a two-stage negotiating process. The first stage would comprise, in addition to short-term measures to improve market conditions in the cereals and cereals substitutes, sugar and dairy sectors, a reduction in the levels of agricultural support aimed at bringing markets into better balance. The second stage would comprise further reductions in support, coupled with readjustments in external protection and the development of detailed GATT rules to secure the progress made in the negotiation on a lasting basis. It is also proposed that an appropriate framework of rules be negotiated to govern the use of animal and plant health regulations.