HC Deb 05 December 1972 vol 847 cc370-1W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether importation of apples from the Commonwealth is freely permitted without quotas or tariffs; and whether, after entry into the European Economic Community, the same situation will pertain, or what restrictions will be imposed.

Mr. Godber

Fresh apples from Canada are subject to our multilateral quota controls; otherwise, supplies from the Commonwealth Preference Area are at present unrestricted and duty-free. During the transitional period, there will be a system of gradually diminishing compensatory levies on our imports from all sources during the main northern hemissphere marketing season. We shall also be moving towards the Community's common customs tariff, so that, at the end of the transitional period, imports from the Commonwealth will be subject to the full common customs tariff, but will not normally be subject to other restrictions.

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