§ Sir W. Bromley-Davenportasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the present freedom to import bacon from Denmark is dependent on the extent to which Danish agriculture in general remains unsubsidised by the Danish Government; what steps are taken by him to obtain satisfactory assurances from that Government on this point; and whether any changes in this respect have taken place subsequent to the cessation of the recent Danish farmers' strike.
§ Mr. SoamesMost Governments assist their agricultural producers in one way or another. This is in the first place38W a domestic matter, but so far as imports into this country are concerned, the absence of restrictions stems from our general trade policy and international obligations. There is, of course, provision for statutory action against dumped or subsidised imports from any country in certain circumstances under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act, 1957.
As for the third part of the Question, I understand that the Danish Government have in mind certain proposals to assist their agricultural producers but that they have not yet come into effect. In these circumstances, I do not consider it appropriate to seek special assurances from the Danish Government.
§ Sir W. Bromley-Davenportasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has at the present time about outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Western European countries; and whether he proposes to take safeguards with regard to the importation of meat and bacon from Europe into this country.
§ Mr. SoamesMy Department receives regular information about outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe. I will send my hon. and gallant Friend a statement. The importation of meat (including bacon) from Europe is controlled by regulations made under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1950. The statutory safeguards range from a total ban on imports to conditional entry according to the circumstances of the particular country.