§ Mr. Oakesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present tariff on the import of soya oil cake into this country: what is the tariff on this product in the European Economic Community; and what steps he is taking to protect producers of animal feedingstuffs in this country if Great Britain enters the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe present rate of duty on soya bean cake and meal imported from non-Commonwealth sources is 10 per cent. Imports from the Commonwealth which provides the bulk of supplies, enjoy duty-free entry. All soya bean cake and meal imported into the European Economic Community enters duty free. The last part of the Question does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. Molyneauxasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a further statement about the policy for intervention centres for Northern Ireland under the European Economic Community's agricultural policy.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartI have nothing to add to my reply of 8th June.—[Vol. 818, c.290.]
§ Mr. Molyneauxasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present position about the guarantees for Northern Ireland standards of animal health in the event of entry into the European Economic Community; and what is 156W the present position about the guarantees for standards of hygiene in liquid milk.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartWe recognise that Northern Ireland faces special problems in preserving its present favourable animal health situation. We shall continue to take this factor fully into account in the remaining negotiations on animal health problems about which my right hon. Friend told the House during the debate on 21st October. While there are no Community hygiene regulations for milk we can continue our present requirements on hygiene and the protection of public health. We and other applicants would be consulted if it were proposed to introduce legislation before we join the Community.—[Vol. 823, c. 1031–2.]
§ Mr. Kenneth Bakerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations have been made to the European Economic Community to allow the levy-free import of cereals for the production of whisky which is exported from the Community.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartWe have established that levy-free imported cereals may be and are being used for the production of grain-based spirits exported from the Community.