HL Deb 16 July 1992 vol 539 c48WA
The Earl of Swinton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held on 13th and 14th July; and if he will make a statement.

Earl Howe

My right honourable friend the Minister chaired this meeting of the Council. My honourable friend the Minister of State in this department and I 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 UK presidency.