§ 52. Mr. Lathamasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about sheepmeat exports to France.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe European Court of Justice has ruled that French controls on sheepmeat exports from the United Kingdom are illegal. I have 771W repeatedly pressed the French Government to comply with this ruling and shall continue to do so. They are admitting small quantities of British lamb for freezing and storage but this gesture falls far short of compliance with the ruling.
The Commission has now started proceedings against the French Government under the Treaty of Rome to secure compliance. I hope that they will reconsider their attitude and lift their controls without the need for further court proceedings.