HC Deb 18 July 1972 vol 841 cc61-3W
32. Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present value of exports of food and agricultural products to the European Economic Community; and what prospects he now sees for larger and more profitable exports to the enlarged Community and to third markets.

Mr. Peter Mills

Our exports of food and agricultural products to the EEC totalled £99.7 million in 1971 and £48.9 million in the first five months of this year. As to the second half of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bodmin (Mr. Hicks) on 20th June, and that which my hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for King's Lynn (Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler) on 4th July.—[Vol. 839, c. 222–3;Vol. 840, c. 89.]

47. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the effects on Great Britain's agriculture industry of the European Economic Community Regulation 407/72 Sugar, Part 39 of the Secondary Legislation of 28th February, 1972, published on 8th July.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

EEC Regulation 407/72 amends Regulation 142/69 by providing that the final settlement in respect of the production contribution for sugar produced in excess of basic quotas, but within maximum quotas, shall always be made by the end of a calendar month. This administrative simplification in the sugar production quota arrangements will have no direct effect on the British agriculture industry.

60. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the effects on Great Britain's agriculture industry of the European Economic Community Regulation 434/72/Agricultural Finance, Part 14 of the Secondary Legislation of 29th February, 1972, published on 8th July.

Mr. Prior

This regulation enables expenditure on the cottonseed subsidy to be met from the guarantee section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund. Since cottonseed cannot be grown commercially in this country, the regulation will not affect our agriculture industry.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now invite to Great Britain the Ministers responsible for food in Australia, New Zealand and Canada to discuss with them the effects on Great Britain's imports of food from these countries on Great Britain's entry into the Common Market.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

Useful discussions with these countries have already been held on particular problems which might arise in trade after enlargement of the Community. My right hon. Friend would, of course, be happy to meet his colleagues from Australia, New Zealand and Canada whenever they felt this would be helpful.