E.E.C. Talks On Farm Policy In doldrums

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29715, 8 January 1962, Page 11

E.E.C. Talks On Farm Policy In doldrums

, ’ (N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—-Copyright) _ , ‘ BRUSSELS, January 6. The Foreign and Agricultural Ministers,of the six-nation European Common Market are again marking time in their efforts to work out a common agricultural policy. . ‘ • After a short three-hour meeting this morning, when the Ministers adjourned until Monday afternoon, delegates and officials agreed that only slight progress had been made. ,■ *1 * ' One French official said further difficulties had* arisen on some points which had appeared to have been practically solved in the last two days of discussions

Observers say the Six are again beginning ,to haggle over highly technical details, thus preventing any substantial progress, A curious feature of the talks is that on practically every-poiht on which agreement in principle has been reached, one or two member States have expressed reservations.

When these reservations come up later in the discussions it. is often found that they are a reflection of profound disagreement between the Six, throwing into the balance any previous agreement which might have been reached. The Common Market’s Executive Commission has been asked to prepare detailed texts on various aspects of the common agricultural policy which will be discussed by experts on Monday morning, before the Ministers meet again in the afternoon.

The positive side of the balance-sheet includes an agreement about the introduction of a system of target prices and variable import levies for many agricultural products, notably cereals, which will replace import duties and other restrictions on the free movement of farm produce within the community. But the level of these prices has not yet been fixed.

The Six have also agreed on the setting up of a special administrative committee 'tb run day-to-day’ agricultural affairs, certain quality regulations for wine, and a declaration of intention concerning dairy products. On this, last point the Ministers agreed in principle that detailed common regulations on dairy products should be drawn up by the commission by next May. They will come into operation six months later. This would have been an important concession to the Dutch point of view, but the French made a reservation that they would make final agreement on dairy products conditional on the introduction of similar measures for beef and sugar.

Meanwhile, fee trickiest aspects of the common farm policy—-the joint agricultural fund which,.will flnapcedtand the question of escape Causes —remain unsolved.. ; , There appears' to;Be’ agreement that the. fund shduld be financed' mainly.'out, of national budgets ,iff , the first three years* of its Existence, with a progressively ihcreasing Contribution Of import levies. But the French .have asked for a decision oh whai in to happen in the lafct three years of the six-year transitional period of the common agri-' cultural policy. The Germans do not want to take any decision on this matter until the end of the first three-year. period arid have refused ,to discuss it

until they, have consulted their Government.

•.According to sources close to the council; the question is unlikely to be discussed before Tuesday or Wednesday. The other big problem which has arisen is the application of an escape clause for fruit and vegetables. At the end of the session on December 30, when the Ministers decided to extend the first stage of the Common Market until January 13, many delegates, including the West German Vice-Chancel-lor, Dr. Ludwig Erhard, said no agreement had been reached for lack of time. But the Ministers are again beginning to run short of time after a further three days of discussions. An official communique issued two days ago said the Six would decide next Thursday whether to continue their talks. The atmosphere after today’s 1 meeting was again pessimistic, and the question once more arises whether, after more than 100 hours of fruitless discussions, the Minister* can reach a final agreement in the four days remaining to them.