Cattle and Sheep

HC Deb 22 March 1967 vol 743 cc1686-8

7. Mr. Godber

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further action he will take for the coordination of imports with domestic beef supplies.

16. Mr. Loveys

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review the Government's import policy to prevent a repetition of over-supply of cattle and sheep which occurred in the markets last summer.

49. Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further action he intends to take to co-ordinate imports with domestic supplies of beef.

Mr. Peart

Prospective supplies from all sources are regularly reviewed with our major suppliers in the Meat Study Group, and on present prospects imports in carcase form should be reasonably well matched to demand. As for fat cattle imports from the Irish Republic, I have had discussions with the Minister there and will be meeting him again. We are both anxious to avoid a repetition of last year's difficulties.

Mr. Godber

Will not the Minister accept that something more needs to be done in this regard? In his Price Review White Paper, he admits the need to restore confidence. He has done something in regard to prices. He must do something more in regard to co-ordination of imports, because this was one of the major factors last year, as I am sure he realises. Something more must be done to co-ordinate.

Mr. Peart

This is precisely what I have said. I am glad that it is accepted that I have done something as regards prices. The Opposition are coming on. The marketing side and phasing are important. It is not an easy problem. I am in touch with my counterpart in the Irish Government and have had discussions with him on this. The Irish fat position on our market has been an important factor.

Mr. Loveys

Is not the Minister aware that his Answer indicates no real attempt to prevent a repetition of the over-supply of cattle and sheep, which depressed the market so seriously last summer? Whether or not we enter the E.E.C., does not he agree that a similar system to that operated in the Community is the only way of ensuring well balanced supplies in the future?

Mr. Peart

We are not yet in the E.E.C. I recognise that the question of the levy system operated by the E.E.C. was a matter which affected our position, because of the closure of Community markets to Irish supplies and also to supplies from this country. This is something which we are discussing in the Kennedy Round, as the hon. Gentleman must know. I am anxious to have an agreement whereby we have this greater liberalisation; this could affect our position.

Mr. Godber

On the right hon. Gentleman's last point, are we to assume that he expects a solution to emerge from the Kennedy Round? If not, will he do something about definitely protecting the home producer from the effects of the Common Market levy?

Mr. Peart

As I have always told the right hon. Gentleman, he should not indulge too much in hypothetics, and he should recognise that we are conducting serious negotiations at Geneva and inevitably meat supplies and trading in the meat industry are involved. I cannot tell hon Members the outcome. All that I have said is that I hope that we shall have a successful conclusion.