HC Deb 20 March 1978 vol 946 c457W
Mr. Cockcroft

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the import of New Zealand cheese into the United Kingdom will be resumed.

Mr. Bishop

Future arrangements for the import of New Zealand cheese into the United Kingdom are to be discussed in the framework of the present round of multilateral trade negotiations being held in Geneva under the auspices of the GATT.

Mr. Cockcroft

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the quantities of butter which New Zealand will be permitted to send to the United Kingdom in 1981 and after will be decided.

Mr. Bishop

This question will be decided in the EEC Council of Ministers in the light of a report which the European Commission intends to submit to the Council before the end of this year.

Mr. Cockcroft

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy relating to the resumption of imports of New Zealand cheese in the light of the public feeling against the exclusion of New Zealand products from the United Kingdom market.

Mr. Bishop

My right hon. Friend and I believe there is scope for a continued New Zealand presence on our cheese market, alongside an expanding share of our own producers.

Mr. Cockcroft

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current levy on New Zealand butter expressed in pence per pound.

Mr. Bishop

New Zealand butter now selling in the shops was imported at a levy rate, net of abatement by the monetary compensatory amount, that varied between about 8p and 11p per pound. The current net levy of about 21½p per pound has not been applied because no butter has been imported at this rate.