§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 28 October 1992,Official Report, columns 686–87, what further information is now available for farmers on CAP reform.
§ Mr. CurryOn 11 January a booklet on the allocation of quotas under the sheep annual premium scheme was sent to the majority (some 44,000) of sheep producers in England with the first round of allocations; we aim to deal with the second round of allocations to producers during February. An explanatory booklet, "CAP Reform in the Beef Sector" was sent to all registered beef producers on 26 January. In addition, a consultation document was sent to organisations representing the farming industry on74W 25 January covering aspects of implementation of the quota system in the livestock sector. Copies of all these documents have been placed in the Library of the House. Information on the implications of the integrated administration and control system will be made available as soon as possible.
§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the impact of GATT on CAP; and if he will make it his policy to get the relevant and appropriate information to the British farmer.
§ Mr. CurryI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Northampton, North (Mr. Marlow) on 30 November 1992 at column59. My colleagues and I have regularly addressed the relationship of a GATT deal to the CAP in our contacts with farmers.
§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy, when further reforms to the agricultural industry are being considered, to increase the lead time to represent one seasonal cycle of the particular commodity involved.
§ Mr. CurryWhen reforms are being considered, my right hon. Friend and I make every effort to ensure that the timing of their eventual implementation is as helpful as possible to farmers.