§ Mr. Spenceasked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future prospects for the United Kingdom beef production industry.
§ Mr. BishopWith home production expected to be lower in 1977 than in 1976 firm market prices should be in prospect. With this and signs of an upturn in the dairy herd—from which nearly 70 per cent. of our beef comes—beef production should begin to pick up in 1978. Moreover, the market and producers' returns are effectively underpinned by the combination of premiums and intervention, and the support levels are due to rise to the common EEC levels by the end of this year.
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§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tons of beef have been imported from the Republic of Ireland during the last three months; what are the estimates for the next three months and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BishopFigures for January 1977 are not yet available. During the months of October, November and December 1976, imports of beef and veal from the Irish Republic amounted to 32,957 tons —an increase of 13 per cent. over the same period in 1975. On the other hand, imports of live cattle from the Irish Republic in the same three months totalled 76,783 head, a reduction of 43 per cet. compared with 1975. The level of sendings to the United Kingdom during the first three months of 1977 will depend on various commercial factors, including the availability of beef for export in the Irish Republic—where production is forecast to be lower in 1977 than in 1976—and the overall strength of demand on the United Kingdom and other EEC markets.