§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence she has of damage to the export of British foodstuffs to Germany by the stance of the German Government towards British beef.
§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard[holding answer 29 April 1994]: According to Meat and Livestock Commission
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Exports of sheep and sheepmeat 1979 to 1993 Metric tonnes 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 11993 Live sheep and lambs All countries 17,261 14,281 8,026 5,833 4,348 3,564 2,990 5,857 12,767 17,835 22,451 22,225 33,040 52,051 30,712 EC 17,222 14,273 7,934 5,810 4,333 3,555 2,960 5,785 12,760 17,809 22,436 22,217 33,023 51,993 30,709 Of which: Belgium/Luxembourg 1,429 1,517 2,689 1,108 993 — 655 482 70 342 981 258 1,568 3,071 3,572 export survey statistics, beef exports to Germany declined from just under 2,500 tonnes in 1992 to 900 tonnes in 1993. So far in 1994, exports are running at an annualised rate of 300–400 tonnes. In addition, individual companies have given me reports of lost or threatened business for beef and other meats. The promotion of other British products has also been affected.
I have made the European Commission aware of these effects, which amount to an unjustified trade barrier against British goods in the single market.