§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the various measures of support for wool producers which are being operated in each of the countries comprising the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartSheep and wool producers in the Six benefit from a large number of measures. There are common external tariffs of 15 per cent. on domestic sheep (other than those for breeding), 20 per cent. on mutton and lamb (fresh, chilled or frozen) and 10 per cent. on sheep offal for human consumption. These are applied by all members of the Six. Individual countries also aid sheep production with additional measures. They include border taxes and import restrictions such as limitation by weight, by quota and by minimum price arrangements. There are also measures to promote sheep production, for example by capital grants, regional aid and premiums for ewe retention. Wool as such is aided variously by contributions to marketing costs, premiums payable at rates according to quality and grants to co-operatives.
§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the rôle of the Wool Marketing Board will be affected on British entry to the European Economic Community.
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§ Mr. Anthony StodartI have nothing to add to the reply given on 19th February to the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Deakins).—[Vol 811, c.577.]
§ Dr. Vaughanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the growth of the United Kingdom vineyard industry in terms of import saving and export potential, and the special rôle vineyard operations can have in the preservation of rural area listed buildings, if he will consider further negotiations with the European Economic Community so that for wine producing purposes the United Kingdom is considered a separate maritime area and exempt from European Economic Community regulations for an experimental period of 10 years.