HC Deb 27 April 1989 vol 151 cc666-7W
19. Mr. Ian Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the European Council last discussed the agricultural implications of the general agreement on tariffs and trade round.

Mr. MacGregor

The Agriculture and Foreign Affairs Councils at their meetings on 20–22 March discussed and approved the Community's approach on agriculture for the GATT negotiations held in Geneva earlier this month. A successful agreement was reached there on a framework for negotiation on further agricultural reform. In Community discussions we are now encouraging the Commission to develop constructive proposals on how this is to be achieved.

26. Sir Hal Miller

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Geneva talks on the agricultural aspects of the general agreement on tariffs and trade.

Mr. MacGregor

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster made a statement to the House on 10 April, at columns 396–97, about the outcome of the recent GATT meeting. The agreement reached there on agriculture provides a firm basis for work to be carried forward on the ways and means of securing long-term policy reform. For the short term, it confirms that present levels of support and protection are not to be increased. We shall be urging the Community to press ahead with detailed work to build on and continue the process of agricultural reform that is already under way.

51. Mr. Knapman

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the United States Agriculture Minister, Mr. Yeutter, on recent general agreement on tariffs and trade developments on agriculture.

Mr. MacGregor

I met Secretary Yeutter in Washington on 24 April. We had extensive discussions, concentrating in particular on the current GATT round. We both welcomed the agreement that had been reached in the GATT trade negotiations committee on 8 April and their firm basis that it now provides for negotiations on long-term reform of agricultural policies worldwide. We also agreed that the commitment not to increase support and protection beyond current levels will be an important contribution to this process.