§ Sir P. Bryanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take immediate steps to prevent damage to British producers from the arrival of subsidised German and Danish beef on the British market in big quantities for less than lop per lb.; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PeartI am aware that limited quantities of beef are arriving from EEC counries at low prices. These cheap supplies consist mainly of cow beef cuts which go for processing and should not have any significant effect on the United Kingdom fresh meat market. However. I am watching the position carefully and have no intention of seeing this market disrupted.
§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current level and price of beef imports from the EEC; what is the expected trend in this trade over the next six 555W months and whether the subsidised price of such imports renders them liable to consideration under domestic anti-dumping legislation.
§ Mr. PeartFigures showing the current situation of imports of beef into the United Kingdom from other EEC member States are not yet available and forecasts are not published. The question of anti-dumping legislation does not arise. Payments on these imports are made under Community legislation which also Provides for any necessary adjustments.
§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the tonnage of beef imported into the United Kingdom from other Community countries in the latest two months for which statistics are available; and what was the corresponding figure for the same period in 1973.
§ Mr. BuchanThe latest available information is as follows:—
IMPORTS Of BEEF FROM EEC* (TONS) 1972 1973 November December November December 8,081 5,683 11,887 9,437 7,727† 5,438† 6,547† 6,069† There is as yet no published information relating to imports for 1974.
*Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom.
†Irish Republic.