HC Deb 05 December 1969 vol 792 cc381-2W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a further statement about his negotiations on the arrangements for imports of frozen fillets from European Free Trade Association suppliers after 1969.

Mr. James Johnson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is yet in a position to make a further announcement about his negotiations on the arrangements for imports of frozen fillets from European Free Trade Association suppliers after 1969.

Mr. Hoy

The final details of the outline agreement to which I referred in my reply to my hon. Friend on 31st October, have now been settled. A new understanding has been reached, subject to approval by the Governments concerned, on a régime for frozen fillets imported into the United Kingdom from E.F.T.A. countries. The new arrangements would operate from 1st January, 1970, for existing members, and for Iceland from the date of her accession to E.F.T.A.

The Record of Understanding establishes minimum export prices for cod, haddock and plaice. These are initial prices to be increased on 1st January, 1971 with a view to reaching target prices by the end of that year. The intermediate and target prices for the basic specification of cod fillets are set out in the agreement, but the corresponding prices for other varieties of fillets remain to be fixed at annual reviews. Provision is also made for consultation at any time, at the request of any Government party to the Understanding, with a view to taking remedial measures if the arrangements are not operating satisfactorily.

The Governments of the exporting countries will be responsible for enforcing the observance of the minimum prices and, subject to the satisfactory operation of the scheme, the United Kingdom will accept the continued exclusion of these fillets from Annex E of the E.F.T.A. Convention. An appropriate instrument to restore duty free entry to frozen fillets from E.F.T.A. suppliers from 1st January, 1970 will be laid before the House in due course.

Copies of the Record of Understanding are available in the Library.—[Vol. 790, c. 7.]