§ Mr. Freudasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what export encouragement is given to apple growers in each of the European Economic Community countries.
§ Mr. WigginExport refunds are payable at common rates throughout the European Community to encourage apple growers to export to third countries. It is open to individual member States to give any additional forms of export encouragement which they may consider desirable, providing the Community's rules on competition are observed. I have no detailed information on such forms of encouragement.
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§ Mr. Freudasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the British apple grower is able to compete fairly with EEC growers in respect of hail insurance, restructuring grants, experimental packaging and Government support for marketing co-operatives.
§ Mr. WigginVarying forms of national aids are offered by different member States. I have no evidence that apple growers in the United Kingdom face unfair competition from EEC growers in respect of the items which are mentioned. The assistance which is available to growers in the United Kingdom was listed in a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newark (Mr. Alexander) earlier today.