§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many eggs were imported into the United Kingdom over the 12-month period ended 8th February 1976 from each of the EEC countries; and how much subsidy was paid by the United Kingdom on those imports.
§ Mr. BishopThe latest 12-month period for which official figures are available is that ended 31st January 1976. During this period United Kingdom imports of eggs from EEC countries were as follows:
785W
February 1975 to January 1976 Shell Eggs boxes (a) Hatching Eggsboxes (b) Belgium and Luxembourg 26,240 — Denmark 30,106 4,285 France 545,944 16 West Germany 3,213 — Ireland 782 2,538 Italy 1,467 600 Netherlands 112,859 41 Total 720,611 7,480 (a) For human consumption, each box containing 360 eggs. (b) Boxes calculated on the basis of 360 eggs to a box. No subsidy was paid from the United Kingdom Exchequer on these eggs. Imports are, however, from time to time the subject of payments of monetary compensatory amounts and accession compensatory amounts which are paid from FEOGA funds at variable rates. The current rates for grade 4 eggs (approximate standard grade) amount to about 3.0p per dozen eggs.
§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the effect of the importation of eggs from the EEC countries on the home-produced egg market; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BishopDevelopments in the egg market are influenced by many factors—for example, the level of home production and demand as well as the level of imports. During January we exported more eggs than we imported. It is not possible to isolate the effects of any one of these factors on prices.
§ Mr Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the current terms for the importation of eggs from the EEC countries; and what arrangements exist for the continued importation of eggs from these countries.
§ Mr. BishopEggs for human consumption can be imported freely into the United Kingdom from EEC countries subject only to compliance with the Eggs (Marketing Standards) Regulations 1973. Eggs, like all other foodstuffs, both home-produced and imported, are also subject to the general provisions of the Food and Drugs Act 1955 and subordinate legislation thereunder. Hatching eggs are subject to the Poultry and Hatching Eggs Importation Order 1972.