§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what matters in regard to the recently completed general agreement on tariffs and trade for EU agriculture policy were discussed at the Agriculture Council of 24–25 January.
§ Mr. JackThe Agriculture Council met and concluded its agenda on Monday 24 January. It took forward the business following from the decisions at the preceding December Council. Although the GATT Uruguay round on agriculture was not itself on the agenda, its implications for future reform of the fruit and vegetable regime were noted.
§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the implications for(a) low-input agriculture and (b) continued protection of countryside habitats of wildlife populations of the GATT completed in December 1993.
§ Mr. JackNon-trade-distorting payments, including incentives for environmentally beneficial farming practices such as those that entail habitat protection and reduced use of fertilisers and pesticides, are classed as "green box". As a result, they are exempt from the limitations elsewhere in the agreement, including those on domestic support.