§ 102. Mr. Brewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which countries have agreed to observe minimum prices when buying or selling skim milk powder; and what action he will take to prevent dumping from countries which are not parties to the agreement.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartAustralia, Canada, Denmark, the E.E.C. and its member countries, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom are signatories to the G.A.T.T. Arrangement which sets a minimum export price for skimmed milk powder. Austria and the Irish Republic have said that they will observe the Arrangement on ade facto basis.
The United Kingdom is participating in the Arrangement on the basis of the voluntary co-operation of the United Kingdom industry and trade in ensuring that both our exports and imports, irrespective of source, are consistent with the minimum price. The Board of Trade will take action under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act, 1969, if they are satisfied that dumped or subsidised exports are causing or threatening material injury to the British producers concerned and that 160W such action would be in the national interest. British producers affected would have to apply for action with supporting prima facie evidence.