HC Deb 27 March 1968 vol 761 cc274-5W
64 and 65. Lord Hamilton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will give an assurance that in the current year the number of store cattle from Eire to the United Kingdom will not fall below 638,000, as agreed in the Anglo-Eire Free Trade Agreement;

(2) if he will make a statement on the recent discussions with the Eire Minister of Agriculture concerning the implementation of the Anglo-Eire Trade Agreement.

Mr. Peart

Under the Agreement the Government of the Irish Republic undertook to use their best endeavours, consistent with the circumstances of the trade, to send us 638,000 store cattle a year. This is something less than a firm guarantee; but in 1967 the figure was nearly reached.

My talks with the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Blaney, on the trading relationships between our countries arising under the Agreement are still continuing. However, I can say that in the context of our discussions on the balance and phasing of cattle and beef shipments I have repeatedly stressed the importance we attach to the undertaking on Irish store shipments.