§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps the Government are taking to persuade the Council of Ministers of the European Community to reduce the support to tobacco growing within the Community.
§ Mr. CurryThe Government have consistently campaigned for reductions in EC support levels for tobacco, and particularly for higher tar varieties. In the current annual price-fixing negotiations, the biggest price cuts proposed by the Commission are for tobacco. The proposals would cut prices by an average of 10 per cent. with a range of 4 to 17 per cent. depending on variety, with the biggest cuts falling on higher tar varieties. The Government fully support these proposals.
The EC tobacco regime is to be completely reviewed later this year. The Government's object will be to secure the most radical reform negotiable.