§ 5. Mr. Spriggsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present level of import duty or levy on bacon imported into the United Kingdom from outside the EEC.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartAbout £31 per ton.
§ Mr. SpriggsAs British bacon prices have increased by from 70 per cent. to 100 per cent. in the last two years, what is the purpose of the levy?
§ Mr. StodartI think it is perhaps the equivalent of the duty that used to be 10 per cent. ad valorem on imports prior to the existence of the levy and there seems to me to be no difference therein.
§ Mr. FryIs my hon. Friend the Minister aware of the deep concern of many pig farmers in Britain, especially in my constituency, over their decreased margins? Many of them are now bringing sows to market because of the possible cost of keeping them through the winter, and this creates a consequent danger to pork and bacon supplies in 1974.
§ Mr. StodartYes, I am aware of that concern but my hon. Friend is aware that within the last few weeks the market price for pigs has firmed considerably.
§ Mr. JayIn view of the present outrageously high price of bacon, why do the Government impose this tax?
§ Mr. StodartBecause it happens to be one of the regulations of the Community.