§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the annual consumption of horsemeat per head in each of the member countries of the European Economic Community; what is the comparable figure for the United Kingdom; and what safeguards would exist within an enlarged European Economic Community to prevent the export of horsemeat from present European Economic Community member countries to the United Kingdom and to prevent 75W the slaughter of horses for human consumption within the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe annual consumption of horsemeat per head in each of the member countries of the European Economic Community in 1968–69 which is the last year for which figures are available was as follows:
Comparable figures for the United Kingdom are not available since there is no evidence of household purchases of horse-meat, and human consumption is negligible. The E.E.C. requirements for the production of horsemeat for human consumption are no less stringent than our own, which stipulate that the meat must be produced under the same conditions as other meat used for human consumption.
Kilograms per head 1968–69 (July-June) West Germany 0.1 France 1.8 Italy 0.8 Netherlands 2.0 Belgium and Luxembourg 3.3
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that in the year ending 3rd June, 1970, under special imperial preference conditions of trade New Zealand sent 90 per cent, of its butter, 86 per cent. of its lamb, and 75 per cent. of its cheese exports to Great Britain; and to what extent under the present known conditions of Britain's entry into the European Economic Community he estimates these figures will be affected.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThese percentages are not immutable, whether we join the European Economic Community or not, and I could not make the estimate for which the hon. Member asks.