§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tons of pigmeat have been imported from Holland during the past year; and what were the corresponding figures for the last five years.
§ Mr. MacGregorAnnual imports of pigmeat from Holland for each of the last six year are as follows:
'000 tonnes carcase wt equivalent 1978 48.9 1979 60.2 1980 59.7 1981 67.9 1982 60.1 1983 64.6
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to restrict the entry of pig products from Holland where these products have come from areas which are affected by swine fever.
§ Mrs. FennerFresh pigmeat imports are not permitted from the Netherlands. Pigmeat products may be imported provided they originate from animals or holdings at a safe distance from an outbreak of the disease, or if they do not come from an infected holding and have undergone specified heat or other acceptable treatment.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report the total value of pig products which have been imported into the United Kingdom from Dutch sources in the years 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and the latest available figures for 1984.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe information requested is as follows:
220W
Pig products—Value of Imports from Holland £'000 1980 102,349 1981 111,016
£'000 1982 106,421 1983 114,152 1984* 9,477 * January Source: Her Majesty's Customs and Excise Overseas Trade Statistics
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will raise in the Council of Ministers of the European Communities the fund set up by the French Government to the value of £8.3 million to aid the pig producers in France; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorNo. I understand that the French Government have not, so far, introduced new aid for pig producers. They are, however, in contact with the European Commission over the details of proposals and the Commission is currently studying these. I have already made it clear that I will not hesitate to pursue the matter further if there is any indication that the French Government intend to introduce an illegal state aid.