§ 13. Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current position on the implementation of a sheepmeat stabiliser.
§ 23. Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the position on the introduction of a stabiliser to the sheepmeat regime.
§ 25. Mr. KnapmanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures have been taken to introduce a stabiliser mechanism into sheepmeat support.
§ Mr. MacGregorFollowing European Council decisions the Community has agreed on a stabiliser for the sheepmeat sector based on maximum guaranteed quantities of 18.1 million ewes for Great Britain and 45.3 million ewes for the rest of the European Community, including Northern Ireland, which are the latest available figures. Sheepmeat support prices will be reduced for the 1988 marketing year from 23 May by the extent to which the maximum guaranteed quantities are exceeded, with separate calculations for Great Britain and the European Community-11 plus Northern Ireland so long as we operate variable premium.
A 1 per cent. overrun will trigger a 1 per cent. price cut. On the basis of Commission estimates of ewe flock sizes in 1988, we expect a 3 per cent. cut in Great Britain prices.
§ 45. Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement regarding the latest developments in the sheepmeat regime.
§ Mr. MacGregorI refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson). I expect discussions on the Commission's proposals for reform of the Community's sheepmeat regime to take place after the price-fixing proposals have been agreed.