§ Mr. Boscawenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has concluded negotiations with overseas suppliers on the import arrangements for cheddar and cheddar-type cheese in 1971–72; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PriorOur main suppliers of cheddar and cheddar-type cheese have agreed to continue to limit their supplies to our market for the year beginning 1st April, 1971. In addition, the voluntary restraint arrangement has been strengthened for 1971–72 by the inclusion of the European Economic Community as a whole. Hitherto only two member States have taken part in the arrangements. The agreed quantities for 1971–72 are:
'000 tons New Zealand 75 Irish Republic 20 European Economic Community 13.8 Australia 12.5 Canada *11 Denmark 1.5 Norway 1.3 South Africa 0.65 * Expected offtake. The Canadian Government will continue to operate restraint by limitation of sales by Canadian producers to United Kingdom buyers on the same basis and at the same level as under the arrangement agreed for 1970–71.
I expect this agreement to result in an adequate supply of cheese for consumers in 1971–72 and good opportunities for United Kingdom cheese producers.