HC Deb 17 April 1980 vol 982 c719W
Mr. Colin Shepherd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the total tonnage of turkey meat allowed for import into the European Economic Community under the general agreement on tariffs and trade from the United States of America; and what tonnage entered the United Kingdom in each of the years 1977, 1978 and 1979;

(2) what arrangements are in force to ensure that quantities of turkey meat imported from the United States of America into the European Economic Community under the general agreement on tariffs and trade are not exceeded.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Under the terms of an exchange of letters between the Community and the United States, following the conclusion of the recent multilateral trade negotiations, if exports of turkey meat from the United States to the Community exceed the average level realised in the course of the years 1977–78, discussions will be held to examine the situation and if necessary find a solution to the problem thus created.

Imports into the United Kingdom of turkey meat from the United States were:

1977 847 tonnes
1978 1,328 tonnes
1979 3,269 tonnes

In the context of the exchange of letters the Commission is aware of the need for effective monitoring of United States exports of turkey meat to the Community. Member States are currently advising the Commission of their imports of turkey meat from the United States.