HC Deb 04 July 1974 vol 876 cc221-3W
20. Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions have recently been held with representative agricultural bodies concerning the beef trade; and what conclusions were reached.

Mr. Peart

I have had a number of discussions with representative bodies concerned with the beef industry and announced last week the measures that I am taking with a view to supporting the returns of beef producers. Discussions are also in progress with the interests concerned on the longer-term future of the agricultural industry, including the livestock sector.

24. Sir A. Meyer

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest average figure for prime beef cattle sold at auction; and how this compares with the figure in July 1973.

Mr. Buchan

The average market price of fat cattle sold on United Kingdom markets during the week ending 29th June 1974 was £17.46 per live cwt. compared with an average market price of £19.36 per live cwt. for the corresponding week last year.

26. Mr. Hooley

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will recommend to the EEC Commission that the 201,000,000 lbs. of beef in cold storage in Common Market countries be sold to countries outside the EEC at cut prices.

Mr. Peart

Beef produced in the Community should, if at all possible, be made available for consumers within the Community.

31. Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to safeguard future beef supplies.

35. Mr. Jay

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now introduce a scheme of guaranteed prices and deficiency payments for beef.

44. Mr. Winterton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further action the Government now intend to take to safeguard future home-produced beef supplies.

46. Mr. Spence

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the low market prices obtained by the livestock section, he will take immediate steps to assist this section of British agriculture; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peart

I would refer to the answer I gave earlier today to the right hon. and learned Member for Huntingdonshire (Sir D. Renton) and others.

54. Mr. English

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what rate of duty or levy is now imposed on beef imported from non-EEC countries into the United Kingdom.

Mr. Buchan

Most of our imports of beef from third countries are in the form of boneless cuts and are subject to both duty and levy, but developing Commonwealth countries are not subject to duty. Other Commonwealth imports face a duty of 8 per cent. rather than the full rate for third countries of up to 11 per cent. United Kingdom levies on boneless cuts, after allowing for the compensatory amounts, are currently £10.78 per cwt. for fresh beef and chilled and £3.64 or £7.15 per cwt. for frozen beef depending on the type of cut.

59. Mr. Ioan Evans

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what attitude he will adopt to representations regarding intervention buying to raise the price of beef to consumers.

Mr. Buchan

As my right hon. Friend made clear in the course of the Supply debate on 26th June, the Government do not consider that intervention buying would be an effective solution to the present difficulties in the beef sector.