HC Deb 20 May 1975 vol 892 cc367-8W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report details of minimum price arrangements currently in force generally, or as regards particular countries for the importation of foodstuffs.

Mr. Peart

Canned sardines and tomato concentrate imported into the EEC from Portugal enjoy tariff reductions—40 per cent for canned sardines and 30 per cent. for tomato concentrate—subject to the observance of a minimum import price. There are over 60 different minimum prices for canned sardines and over 70 different minimum prices for tomato concentrate according to the type and size of the packing and also in the case of tomato concentrate the degree of concentration. Full details can be found in EEC Council Regulation No. 543/75 of 13th February 1975. (Official Journal L.62 of 7th March 1975.)

Reference price arrangements which are broadly comparable to minimum import price arrangements apply to certain fresh fruit and vegetables and to certain fresh and frozen fish. Details can be found in the following Council Regulations:

  • 3326/74 (Official Journal L.357 of 31st December 1974)
  • 1195/75 (Official Journal L.118 of 8th May 1975)
  • 1364/74 (Official Journal L.147 of 1st June 1974)
  • 840/75 (Official Journal L.79 of 28th March 1975)
  • 519/75 (Official Journal L.55 of 1st March 1975)
  • 1957/74 (Official Journal L.204 of 26th July 1974)

Levy arrangements which may also be compared to minimum import price arrangements apply to beef, pigmeat and pigmeat products, dairy products, poultry and poultry products, eggs and egg products, cereals and cereals preparations, rice and rice products, sugar and sugar preparations and olive oil. Details may be obtained from the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce.