§ 20. Mr. CoxTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had in the Council of Ministers regarding EC schemes for direct income support for small farmers.
§ 21. Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Government's position with regard to direct income support for small farmers.
§ Mr. GummerThe Council agreed in January on the main lines of a Community scheme for direct income aid. A regulation came into effect on 1 April establishing a framework under which member states may draw up plans to pay transitional aid to farms affected by the reform of the CAP. Proposals for detailed implementing regulations are now under discussion and need to be agreed before member states may submit new schemes, as required, for approval by the Commission.
I have no plans at present to introduce an income aid scheme.
§ 37. Sir Richard BodyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he last met the chairman of the Small Farmers Association; and what matters were discussed.
§ Mr. GummerI have not met the chairman of the Small Farmers Association.