§ Mr. Bryant Godman Irvineasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from what sources he expects cheap food will be available after renegotiation of the common agricultural policy; and, in particular, what estimate he has made of the effect of the New Zealand decision to increase the price of butter by 15 per cent. on the quantities that will be imported into Great Britain.
§ Mr. PeartIf access to the Community market for non-Community supplies were to be improved Community consumers could benefit particularly when commodity prices on world markets fell from their present unusually high levels. Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States are amongst the major suppliers of agricultural produce on world markets.
Arrangements for imports of butter from New Zealand are covered by Protocol 18 of the Treaty of Accession. The Protocol makes provision for the United Kingdom to import specified quantities of New Zealand butter at a cif price provided for in the protocol. There has been no increase in this price.