§ Mr. Geraint HowellsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the present state of the dairy industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryDairy farming remains a relatively profitable sector of United Kingdom agriculture, sustained by support prices substantially above world market levels. Despite the existence of quotas limiting production, more than 20 per cent. of EC milk production in 1990 required subsidised disposal. It remains our long-term aim to return to a more market-oriented system in the dairy sector, including the eventual removal of production quotas. In the meantime we are convinced of the need to change United Kingdom milk marketing arrangements to enable the industry to meet the challenge of the single market.