HC Deb 12 April 1976 vol 909 cc403-5W
Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total tonnage of cheese imports into the United Kingdom from (a) EEC countries and (b) non-EEC countries in each year since 1970.

Mr. Bishop

The information is as follows:

(Tons)
Year From EEC Countries* From non-EEC Countries Total
1970 53,678 100,655 154,333
1971 65,117 99,673 164,790
1972 64,620 84,019 148,639
1973 81,975 3,216 135,191
1974 99,233 20,278 119,511
1975 (prov.) 116,980 32,627 149,607
* Figures for each year relate to imports from the current EEC member States.

Source: United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the total United Kingdom cheese stocks in each year 1970 to 1975.

Mr. Bishop

Total commercial stocks of cheese held in the United Kingdom at 31st December of each year was as follows:

('000 tons)
1970 44.9
1971 56.0
1972 83.6
1973 72.4
1974 70.2
1975 98.7 (Provisional)

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total gallonage of milk for cheese manufacture in the United Kingdom in each year from 1970 to 1975, expressed on a weekly basis.

Mr. Bishop

The following are average weekly figures for each year derived from annual totals:

Year (Jan-Dec) Million gals.
1970 5.72
1971 6.88
1972 7.80
1973 7.67
1974 9.20
1975 9.96 (Provisional)

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current total cheese-making capacity of all creameries in the United Kingdom; and what was the percentage utilisation of capacity for each year since 1970.

Mr. Bishop

My Department does not collect details of cheese-making capacity of creameries in the United Kingdom; it is not therefore, possible to give figures of percentage utilisation.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will undertake to raise with his EEC colleagues (he increase in imports of cheese into the United Kingdom and if no agreement is obtained to reduce imports, institute unilateral import controls of cheeses of the kinds which can be manufactured in currently underutilised plants in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Bishop

Imports of cheese into the United Kingdom declined over the period 1970–74 and whilst they increased in 1975, figures for the first two months of 1976 show a lower level of imports than in the same period of 1975. During the period 1970–75 home producers share of the growing consumption rose from 45 per cent to 65 per cent. My right hon. Friend and I can see no reason to raise the question of cheese imports with our EEC colleagues.

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