§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Government will consider using EC funds to provide pensions to farmers and farm workers who are affected by changes in the CAP.
§ Mr. CurryThe EC Commission has tabled proposals that require all member states to set up an early retirement scheme linked to the amalgamation of small farms. The Community would contribute to the cost of the pensions paid to farmers and farm workers under this scheme. The proposed scheme is not relevant to the United Kingdom conditions because it is primarily aimed at amalgamating the many very small farms prevalent on some other member states, and we are arguing that it should be optional.