HC Deb 17 December 1974 vol 883 cc401-2W
Mr. Jay

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increases, if any, in levies or duties on foodstuffs imported into the United Kingdom from outside the EEC it is proposed to make in January 1975.

Mr. Strong

On 1st January 1975, in accordance with our obligations in the Treaty of Accession, the United Kingdom will make its next step towards alignment with the rates of duty in the CCT on imports from third countries. This step is an alignment of 20 per cent, in the difference between United Kingdom and CCT duty rates. In some cases this will result in a decrease in duties and in others an increase. Special arrangements will continue to apply to trade with associable Commonwealth countries and with certain Mediterranean countries. Full details of the rates applicable from 1st January are contained in the Import Duties (General) (No. 5) Order 1974 (SI 1974, No. 2020).

There are no transitional steps towards EEC price levels for leviable commodities to be taken in January. Actual levies payable vary according to the level of world prices. Because of high world prices and the operations of monetary compensatory amounts levies are not currently charged on many items imported from third countries. We are, however, adopting full Community prices for sugar from 1st January because of the present exceptional situation on the world sugar market. Given the present level of world prices, import levies will not be payable.

Mr. Gould

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish a table showing the amounts of import levies on imported foods at present; and how these will change on 1st January 1975.

Mr. Strong

Import levies vary from time to time as they depend on the relationship between EEC and world prices. The prinicipal foodstuffs on which levies are currently charged are butter and cheese. A few less significant imported items, such as canned pigmeat, egg products and certain kinds of rice, also bear a levy. There are no transitional steps towards EEC price levies for leviable commodities due to take place in January. Details of current rates of levy can be obtained from the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce.