HC Deb 23 November 1979 vol 974 c413W
Mr. Leighton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the current retail price per pound of a leg of New Zealand lamb; and by how much this would be reduced if the EEC tax on lamb were to be abolished.

Mr. Peter Walker

According to Meat and Livestock Commission estimates, the average retail price of a leg of New Zealand lamb in the week beginning 19 November is 105p/lb in England and Wales and 109p/lb in Scotland.

It is not possible to predict by how much the retail price would be reduced if the Community 20 per cent. common external tariff, bound in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, were to be abolished. This would depend on the influences on the market at the time, notably the availability of both New Zealand and home-killed supplies and the price of other meats.