§ 51. Mr. Oakesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will obtain from the Eggs Authority its estimate of the effect on the retail price of eggs of its decision to withdraw 18 million eggs from the home market.
§ Mr. PriorThe Eggs Authority expects that the fall in retail prices will level off but that prices will remain below last July's levels for the next few weeks.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what agreements have been reached with the European Economic Community regarding the importation and export of eggs prior to entry into the Common Market; and what directives are currently in force in the European Economic Community with regard to the import, export and price of eggs.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe European Economic Community has a free market for eggs, supported by a system of sluice gate prices and import levies to prevent disruption by unduly low priced imports from third countries. This system, which is similar to the minimum import price arrangements in this country, will be adopted by the United Kingdom on 1st February, 1973. No special arrangements will apply to imports and exports prior to entry.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present average price of top grade eggs per dozen on the retail market; and what was the comparable price in June, 1970.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe average retail price of first quality large eggs was estimated by the Eggs Authority to be 20.4p per dozen on 12th July this year, compared with 21.2p in June, 1970. The comparable prices for standard eggs are 17.2p per dozen now, and 18.3p per dozen in June, 1970.