Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any proposals for changes in the role and responsibilities of the five milk marketing boards in the context of the European Community.
§ Mr. CurryI have repeatedly made clear my views that our milk marketing arrangements need to be more flexible and market-oriented.
The current pricing and allocation arrangements do not serve our industry well in meeting the increasing competition within the Community, but it is for the industry, not Government, to identify the changes needed. Therefore, I am not making proposals but am encouraging the Milk Marketing Board and the Dairy Trade Federation to come forward with their own proposals. I will do all I can to assist them.