HC Deb 07 July 1986 vol 101 cc42-3W
Mrs. Renee Short

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give figures indicating production of butter, alcohol, cereals and potatoes by each European Community member state; and what information he has as to the level of subsidies allocated towards the production of butter by each member state each year since 1981.

Mrs. Fenner

The information requested about agricultural production is shown below. The market support arrangements under the common agricultural policy include no direct subsidies allocated towards the production of butter. Producer prices for butter are supported mainly by intervention purchasing and refunds on exports to third countries, both incurring budgetary expenditure and by import levies. Expenditure by the Community in respect of butter cannot fully be separated from other expenditure in the milk sector for every year since 1981. The available information, analysed member state, is contained in the financial reports on the EAGGF (Guarantee Section) for each year, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

Mr. Gummer

[pursuant to his reply, 16 June 1986, c. 465]: The main internal barriers known to my Department arising from the national arrangements of one or more EC member states are: Certain food composition, hygiene, residue and labelling restrictions in cases where agreed EC rules do not yet apply. Restrictions on imports of minced meat and comminuted meat. Requirements as regards residues in meat. Restrictions on imports of certain fish and their ova to protect fish health, and on bees to protect bee health. Prohibition on the marketing of products containing a mixture of dairy and non-dairy fats. Discriminatory duties and taxes and similar provisions on imported spirits. Beer purity laws. Import deposit arrangements.

The above list excludes trade barriers between Spain and Portugal and the rest of the Community which are being phased out under the terms of the accession treaty. Certain other barriers within the categories referred to in the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade on 10 June also operate on industries and trades in my Department's sector.