§ Mr. Shepherdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether any carcase beef has been imported from countries outside the EEC over the last four months; and if so, what was the extent of the trade and which were the countries of origin.
§ Mr. BishopThe information requested is available for the months of July to September 1974 and is set out below. Import statistics for October have not yet been received.
BEEF (Tons) Fresh and Chilled July August September Australia 237 277 14 New Zealand 138 58 — Argentina 1,763 128 2 Brazil 458 61 — South Africa 176 — — Botswana 216 — — Poland 13 — 12 Other 14 — — Total 3,015 524 28 Frozen Australia 4,240 1,607 895 New Zealand 977 402 459 Argentina 698 148 246 Botswana 107 — — U.S.A. 43 26 70 Sweden 4 — — Other 44 39 — Total 6,113 2,222 1,670
VEAI (Tons) july August September Australia 56 20 4 New Zealand 6 — — U.S.A. — 15 — Total 62 35 4 The issue of import licences was suspended by the EEC on 17th July 1974, though imports of fresh and chilled as well as frozen meat continued for some weeks thereafter under licences issued before the suspension took effect. Imports of frozen beef under the GATT levy-free quota of 11,700 tons per annum are unaffected by present restrictions.