§ Mr. John GreenwayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the joint meeting of the Agriculture and Trade Ministers on 26 October.
§ Mr. GummerI represented the United Kingdom at this meeting together with my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade.
Discussion concentrated on the Commission's proposal for a Community offer on agriculture in the current GATT round. A text was eventually produced by the presidency with Commission support, which made two changes to the draft offer and defined in general terms the Community's attitude to any agricultural measures which might be needed following an agreement in GATT. However, two member states were unable to agree and in these circumstances the presidency felt unable to put the matter to the vote.
I very much regret that, because of the failure of some member states to agree to the implications of commitments they had previously accepted, the Community has been unable to meet the deadline for submitting its offer. This is bad for British farmers, continental farmers and for trade as a whole. A further Council meeting is expected shortly.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what agricultural activities, including the responsibility for the storage and disposal of surpluses, have been transferred from the European Economic Community to member states in each year since 1973; and if he will publish a table indicating the expenditure involved in such transfers from the EEC to member states and to the United Kingdom in particular.
§ Mr. Curry[holding answer 17 October 1990]: No significant responsibilities for agricultural policy have been transferred from the European Community to member states since 1973.