HC Deb 09 February 1978 vol 943 cc626-7W
Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the French Ministry of Agriculture has made proposals to his Department concerning the possibility of the United Kingdom exporting carcase lamb to France from 1st January 1978; what offer was made; what reply was given by his Department and for what reasons; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hicks

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions his Department had with the French Ministry of Agriculture concerning the export from the United Kingdom of carcase lamb prior to the announcement of the Irish-French agreement; what proposals were made by the French Ministry officials; what was the response of his Department and the reasons; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bishop

Despite United Kingdom requests for consultations before the announcement of the changed arrangements for the export of Irish lamb to France, no prior discussions were held with French Ministry officials, and no proposals have been made by them to the United Kingdom Government. The United Kingdom Government asked the EEC Commission to act with a view to ending the heightened discrimination against United Kingdom exports to France. The EEC Commission has now started proceedings under Article 169 of the EEC Treaty by asking the French Government to justify their import controls.

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