HC Deb 11 February 1985 vol 73 cc64-5W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which products compete with lupin grain as an animal feed; how much of these products are imported into the United Kingdom and the rest of the European Economic Community from third countries; and how the total subsidy to farmers and processors per tonne of feed product compares to the landed price before duty, levies, and so on on the competing products from third countries.

Mr. MacGregor

The principal competitors with minor products such as lupins for inclusion in compound feed are Community-produced cereals, soyameal and maize gluten feed. In 1983 Community imports of soyameal and maize gluten feed, which enter free of levies and duties, were 9.8 and 3.6 million tonnes respectively, of which the United Kingdom imported 0.8 and 0.4 million tonnes respectively. Direct price comparisons are difficult particularly because of different protein contents. In December 1984, however, the aid payable on lupins incorporated into animal feeds was £93.2 per tonne, the import price of soyameal is £169.1 per tonne and of maize gluten feed £109.2 per tonne.

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