HC Deb 15 July 1992 vol 211 cc811-2W
Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held on 13 and 14 July; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

I chaired this meeting of the Council. My hon. Friend the Minister of State and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Secretary in my Department represented the United Kingdom.

Decisions were taken on a number of proposals relating to food quality, forest protection, veterinary checks, prevention against Newcastle disease and organic farming. The food quality proposal had been extensively amended to remove its undesirable features and was accordingly acceptable to the United Kingdom.

The Council had a first discussion on the very important draft regulation specifying how member states should ensure that the reformed CAP is properly controlled. This is important in terms of preventing fraud, and work will be taken forward urgently during the United Kingdom presidency.