HC Deb 09 August 1972 vol 842 cc465-6W
Mr. Scott-Hopkins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the import duties on beef and veal from non-preferential sources are to be restored.

Mr. Prior

The temporary suspension of our duties on imports of beef and veal which I announced on 5th June ensured that all our overseas suppliers had duty-free access here as well as in the EEC following the latter's suspension of their import duties. The EEC duties on cattle and beef have now been reimposed and, after this week, will be fully effective. In the circumstances, with increasing home-fed supplies which normally lead to lower fat cattle prices in the autumn, the United Kingdom duties will be reimposed. However, to allow traders reasonable notice, an order is being laid today extending the present suspension until midnight on Saturday, 9th September. Thereafter, subject to review in the light of the supply position, the duties will again be charged.—[Vol. 838, c. 33–6.]