§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if talks have been held with a view to bringing mutton and lamb within the scope of the common agricultural policy; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. BishopI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Ms. Colquhoun) on 17th March 1977.—[Vol. 928, c.295–6.]
§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any evidence of deleterious effects on British exports caused by French meat traders regulating the market in mutton and lamb as their domestic prices fluctuate.
§ Mr. BishopMany factors affect sheep meat exports, including our own market where we meet only 60 per cent. of our needs. The system of variable levies and periodic market closure operated by the French Government since the 1950s now controls imports from countries other than the original six member States. Periodic closure of the French market must affect the continuity of United Kingdom exports to France, but the level of these increased markedly up to 1975, though falling back in 1976. Our total sheep meat and live sheep exports to the Continent have both increased in recent years.