§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with(a) representatives of the UK's egg industry and (b) the European Union about possible changes in the EU intervention price of feed grain; and if she will make a statement. [138087]
§ Mr. BradshawThe question of whether to change the cereals intervention price was considered as part of the CAP reform discussions earlier this year. As announced in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's statement to the House on 26 June 2003,Official Report, column 1220–21, in the final compromise deal the Agriculture Council decided not to implement the 5 per cent. reduction proposed by the European Commission, although monthly increments will be reduced by 50 per cent. from the 2004–05 marketing year. I have had no specific discussions with the egg industry on this issue.