HC Deb 27 July 1977 vol 936 cc257-8W
Mr. Welsh

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much beef is being imported into the United Kingdom; from which countries of origin; and how much of these imports is being (a) stored in carcase form and (b) put on to the United Kingdom market.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

The most recent figures available for commercial imports of beef—excluding live cattle—into the United Kingdom relate to the period from June 1976 to May 1977. They are as follows:—

Country of Origin Quantity (tonnes)
France 30,342
Belgium-Luxembourg 2,155
Netherlands 12,133
Federal Republic of Germany 35,644
Irish Republic 99,843
Denmark 31,546
Botswana 17,643
Swaziland 2,788
Australia 9,540
New Zealand 11,261
USA 129
Brazil 39
Argentina 4,974
Other countries 379
Total Imports: 258,416

(Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom).

I regret that separate information about the amounts stored in carcase form and the amounts put directly on to the United Kingdom market for consumption is not available.