§ 12. Sir Clive Bossomasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is Great Britain's share of the lamb exported from New Zealand, and how this compares with her share in 1969.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe United Kingdom's share of lamb exported from New Zealand in 1970 was 86.31 per cent. compared with 88.7 per cent. in 1969.
§ Sir Clive BossomCan my hon. Friend say what special arrangements will be made so that New Zealand lamb can be sold in Europe not only during the transitional period but, more important, after entry?
§ Mr. StodartAs my hon. Friend will have seen, this is a matter that is to be discussed at the next round of conferences in detail. I would only say that we are in the closest contact with the New Zealand Government on this subject.
§ Mr. MackieIs it not right to say that New Zealand is the only source of lamb that we and the Continent have, and that after Britain's entry New Zealand should be quite happy about the market for lamb, if nothing else?
§ Mr. StodartThe spirit that New Zealand is showing in all this is admirable.
§ Mr. BodyCan my hon. Friend say what penalties are now imposed upon 849 exporters of lamb from New Zealand to this country if they exceed a certain quota?
§ Mr. StodartI would ask my hon. Friend to put down a Question on that subject.
§ Mr. FauldsIn terms of our entry into the E.E.C., is it not time that we stopped choking over the question of New Zealand lamb? Has the hon. Gentleman made any examination of present needs for lamb and sheep in Iran and Middle Eastern Arab countries, which are much exceeded by the present production there? Is he aware that projections of demand in these two areas are enormous? Is it not time that we got New Zealand to think of providing sheep exports to some other countries?
§ Mr. StodartI must tell the hon. Gentleman that New Zealand has been making the most strenuous efforts to find new markets for her lamb.