HC Deb 17 May 1984 vol 60 cc265-6W
Mr. Best

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the reasons for continuing to allow imports from New Zealand of dairy products.

Mr. MacGregor

When the United Kingdom negotiated the terms of its accession to the EEC it sought and agreed special arrangements for the import of New Zealand butter and cheese on terms set out in protocol No. 18 to the treaty of accession. In respect of both butter and cheese the protocol laid down quantities to apply for five years ending 1977. For butter there was provision for a review in 1975 regarding future access. Community Heads of Government agreed in Dublin in March 1975 that the provisions for special import arrangements should not deprive New Zealand of outlets which are a major part of its economy. As regards cheese, the protocol No. 18 arrangements ended in 1977, but the Community has since 1980 provided for imports on special terms following agreement in the GATT multilateral trade negotiations.

It remains in our interest to continue to adhere to these agreements which provide corresponding trade benefits, including co-operation in supplying milk products on the world market which helps to keep down the cost of the Community milk regime. More fundamentally our support for these arrangements reflects our long-standing political and other ties with New Zealand.

Mr. Best

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the volume of imports of New Zealand dairy products in the United Kingdom both in actual tonnage and as a percentage of total dairy production in the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available.

Mr. MacGregor

General Trade Statistics prepared by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise show that in 1983 93,760 tonnes of butter, 9,242 tonnes of cheese and 17 tonnes of milk powders were imported into the United Kingdom from New Zealand. These quantities are estimated to represent approximately 10 per cent. of butterfat and about one third of one per cent. of solids-not-fat produced in the United Kingdom in that year.