Mr. Andy StewartTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the meeting of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 5 and 6 November.
§ Mr. GummerI represented the United Kingdom at this meeting together with my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade.
Agreement was reached on a text specifying possible reductions in agricultural support and protection in the context of the current GATT round. This is now being put on the table in Geneva.
The text agreed makes only three relatively small changes from that originally proposed by the Commission and if, following negotiations in GATT, its proposals were put into effect, they would represent a significant liberalisation of agricultural markets and trade. A Council statement on the method of implementing the reductions in support and on any accompanying measures which may be adopted as a consequence was also agreed. This fully protects the United Kingdom's right to insist upon measures which are even-handed between member states and between individuals.
Agreement was also reached on the adaptations to the common agricultural policy necessary following German reunification.