HC Deb 02 July 1969 vol 786 cc416-7
19. Mr. Farr

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what preparation he is making to put into effect the ban on the importation of South American beef on the bone this autumn.

Mr. John Mackie

As from 1st October licences now in force for imports of carcase meat and offal will be revoked and replaced by fresh licences valid only for boneless beef.

Mr. Farr

Would the hon. Gentleman agree that it is fundamentally important that there should be no postponement of the date of 1st October for the ban on boned beef, whether tariff reductions have been arranged or not?

Mr. Mackie

We fixed the date of 1st October because we thought that it would give reasonable time for people to make their arrangements. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is looking into the tariff situation.

Mr. Wellbeloved

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is grave apprehension among housewives that, in view of the expected scarcity of meat supplies from home sources, there will be a substantial increase in prices as a result of the Government's unwise acceptance of the unfounded allegations in the Northumberland Committee's Report? Can he say how far the Government have progressed in coming to a decision to abolish the 20 per cent. ad valorem duty on boneless meat?

Mr. Mackie

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is considering the last point and there will be an announcement shortly. On the point about housewives being apprehensive, we know that beef prices are high, but we do not expect them to get any higher. If we can get an adequate supply of boneless meat, we should keep prices fairly steady.

Mr. Stodart

May I ask the hon. Gentleman not to listen to the voices behind him? Will he accept that the disaster to the nation caused by the foot-and-mouth outbreak last year cannot be compensated by the sort of action proposed?

Mr. Mackie

The hon. Gentleman is sufficient of a democrat to listen to all voices. Whether one takes action after listening is a different matter.