§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent 404W he estimates that the compensatory payments paid to Eire pig producers by the EEC have led to illegal importation of pigs from Northern Ireland into Eire; and what representations he has made to the Common Market Commission about the situation.
§ Mr. Peter MillsPrices obtained for pigs in the Irish Republic have recently been higher than those in Northern Ireland for a number of reasons, including the payment of compensatory amounts on bacon sold in the United Kingdom. However, it is not possible to make any meaningful estimate of the effect of this particular factor in isolation.
The purpose of compensatory amounts is to offset the effects of higher cereal prices in the Republic, but they should also be applied as import levies on trade from Northern Ireland to the Republic.
Discussions with the authorities in the Republic are proceeding in an endeavour to find means of preventing importation of pigs into the Republic without payment of levies.
§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what effect the higher price paid to bacon curers in the Irish Republic has had on the price to pig producers and on the bacon curing trade in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Peter MillsThe higher prices obtained on the British market by curers in the Irish Republic have created an additional incentive to the illegal movement of pigs from Northern Ireland. As a result, throughput of bacon factories in Northern Ireland has been reduced but there has been no adverse effect on producer prices.