HC Deb 07 March 1985 vol 74 cc570-1W
Mr. Adley

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost to British farmers of the special arrangements made by which New Zealand farmers enjoy access to the British market for agricultural produce following the United Kingdom's accession to the European Community; and for how long these commitments will last.

Mr. MacGregor

The European Community's commitment to provide continued access to the United Kingdom market on special terms for certain quant ties of New Zealand butter derives from protocol 18 of the United Kingdom Act of Accession and from the declaration by Community Heads of Government in March 1975. This commitment is indefinite. Current detailed arrangements under protocol 18 expire on 31 December 1988 and the Council of Ministers of the Community will have to decide at the appropriate time the detailed conditions for future access.

Access to the European Community market on special terms for certain quantities of New Zealand cheese was negotiated as part of the last round of multilateral trade negotiations under the GATT and is of indefinite duration.

United Kingdom support for these arrangements derives from our desire to maintain our long-standing political and other ties with New Zealand and our recognition of the importance to the New Zealand economy of access to markets in the European Community for these products.

I am satisfied that the support provided under the common agricultural policy for dairy products adequately protects United Kingdom producers. It is not possible to quantify any effects which these imports might have on price formation in United Kingdom and Community markets.

Mr. Adley

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the annual cost to the Exchequer of the special arrangements made between Her Majesty's Government and the New Zealand Government relating to access to (a) the British market and (b) the rest of the European Economic Community of New Zealand farm produce; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. MacGregor

Such arrangements are made by the European Community, not between Her Majesty's Government and the New Zealand Government.