HC Deb 25 January 1967 vol 739 cc288-9W
Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the fall in price per lb. which sheep farmers would have to pay if Great Britain were to enter the European Economic Community under the present agricultural arrangements for the Community.

Mr. Peart

The E.E.C. has made no regulation governing the market for mutton and lamb, but its common external tariff provides for a duty of 20 per cent. on all imports from countries outside the Community. If these arrangements were unchanged, and no special provision were made for New Zealand supplies, then in view of the fact that E.E.C. prices for competing meats are generally somewhat higher than current U.K. prices, the producer prices for mutton and lamb in the U.K. could be expected to rise rather than to fall.