§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of Botswana beef supplies to this country in the event of Great Britain joining the European Economic Community; and if the arrangements suggested have proved acceptable to the Government of Botswana.
§ Mr. RipponIf Britain joins the European Economic Community the future of beef supplies from Botswana to the enlarged Community will depend upon the outcome of negotiations between Botswana and the enlarged Community on whichever of the options of the Community's 1963 Declaration of Intent is chosen by Botswana. Her Majesty's Government would, as a member of an enlarged Community, take part in these negotiations. Until then, the Community has agreed to the maintenance ofstatus quo in the United Kingdom's trading relations with the developing Commonwealth countries eligible for the options of the Community's 1963 Declaration of Intent.
The Community is unlikely to achieve self-sufficiency in beef in the foreseeable future. Provided the Botswana authorities can comply with Community requirements on animal health and possibly on origin, it is reasonable to expect that exemption from the Common External Tariff of the Community enjoyed by 29W present Yaounde Convention associates might be extended to Botswana if this form of association is chosen.