Cheap food policy going

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32425, 12 October 1970, Page 13

Cheap food policy going

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) BLACKPOOL, Oct 11. The British Minister of Agriculture (Mr James Prior) was given an enthusiastic reception at the Conservative Party conference in Blackpool when he outlined the Government’s plans to rehabilitate the British farmer by a system of levies. The principal item emphasised by Mr Prior was that Britain’s traditional cheap food policy was coming to an end, and that the cost of making agriculture an economic proposition would be transferred from the taxpayer to the consumer. "We will give the farmer his return from the market,” he said. “The scheme will re-

turn responsibility to where it belongs—to the individuals who make up a great industry.” Mr Prior said that the farmers had an unequivocal assurance from the Government that the policies would be carried through in the shortest possible time. “What it all boils down to is that the Government is promising housewives good British food”—and he emphasised die word British—"food

at reasonable prices and in good supply.” The Minister gave no indication when the levies would be introduced, or what their level would be. He left no 'oubt, however, that they would not be insignificant, and that they would be introduced as soon as possible. (Mr Prior later told an N.Z.P.A. correspondent that the first levies would be introduced within a year.) “Our new system is one of levies at the ports, a higher return from the market, and a drastic reduction in Government support,” he said, adding that the change had the full weight of the Government behind it, and would come about whether

s Britain entered the Common s Market or not. “Naturally, the decision to negotiate E.E.C. entry is a - crucial factor in assessing - how far, at this stage, the t Government can make chan- » ges,” Mr Prior went on. “The - scheme we are putting forward is bound to be an in- > terim one, but it will take us s a large step towards the peri manent one which will be - necessary, whether inside or 1 outside the Common Market.”

The food levies could be expected to raise £loom a year, while £lsom would be saved in deficiency payments (the present method of subsidising agriculture). Mr Prior said that the scheme would: bring Britain closer in line with the E.E.C.; transfer the burden of farm support from direct to indirect taxation; give the farmer the money he needed for expansion; and reduce the level of food imports. The chairman of the Sutton Coldfield Young Conservatives (Mr Peter Halliday), who introduced the resolution on agriculture, which was carried by an overwhelming majority, welcomed

the Government’s pledge to replace subsidies with import levies. He said that increases of from 4 to 7 per cent in food prices could be expected over a three-year period; this worked out to an increase in the cost of living of about 1) per cent.

There was only one speech of outright opposition to the levies plan. Mr Richard Simmonds, of Windsor, said that the new policy was preparing Britain for a situation similar to that which existed under the “ruinous” Common Agriculture policy of the E.E.C.

“A vote against this motion is a vote against artificial—nay, farcial—food prices,” Mr Simmonds declared. “It is a vote against an agricultural policy which is only proven in its lack of merit It is a vote against Britain turning her back on her traditional Commonwealth

trading partners. “I submit that the only good thing for farmers and housewives which has emerged from Brussels is the humble sprout"