§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has submitted to the Council of Ministers about the reduction of agricultural spending to be submitted to the GATT conference; and if he will place his proposals in the Library.
§ Mr. CurryThe Commission negotiates in the GATT in close consultation with member states on the basis of the offer which the Council of Ministers approved in November. We have not submitted proposals to the Council but with other member states have urged the Commission to continue the effort to find a basis for a successful agreement.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out the reasons why the EC has decided to budget for the expenditure of £23,000,000,000 on agriculture in 1991; what is the legal limit for such expenditure; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryThe agreed budget for total EC agriculture expenditure in 1991, including estimated costs arising from German unification, is now 34,785 mecu (£24,240 million). This excludes the 1,000 mecu (£697 million) monetary reserve, which is a provision for increased costs above 400 mecu (£279 million) caused by movements in the dollar/ecu market rate. The budget was based on estimates made last year. Within this total, the budget for market support is 31,516 mecu (£21,962 million) which is subject to a legal limit (the guideline) of 32,511 mecu (£22,656 million).