SUPERMARKETS AND BRITISH AGRICULTURE

Early day motion 992, tabled 5 November 1999 by Colin Breed (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 20 members.

That this House notes with dismay the growing gap between farm gate prices and increasing supermarket profits; urges the food retail sector to recognise its vital contribution in ensuring a long-term sustainable future for Britain's agricultural producers; condemns the continuing cost of Government regulations and the dominant power of the supermarkets for driving down supplier prices; welcomes the recent Government aid package for farmers but urges Ministers to take a lead role in reforming the Common Agricultural Policy, and move away from a system of subsidies and annual crisis handouts; and urges the Government to take swift action to ensure that the illegal French ban on British beef is quickly lifted to prevent any tit-for-tat response which may further damage Britain's agriculture sector.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 16, Labour 2, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.