HC Deb 08 July 1980 vol 988 cc136-8W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's estimate of the amount in tonnes of New Zealand's (a) butter and (b) cheese that will be imported into the United Kingdom in the current year and 1981; if he is satisfied that the present level is high enough; and what discussions his Department has had with officials of the Embassy of New Zealand regarding imports of New Zealand dairy products into the United Kingdom.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The United Kingdom is authorised to import 115,000 tonnes of New Zealand butter in 1980 under the special arrangements laid down in the extension to protocol 18 of the Treaty of Accession. No special arrangements exist at present for 1981, but both the 1980 and the post 1980 positions will shortly be reviewed by the Council on a proposal from the Commission.

The European Community as a whole has agreed to import 9,500 tonnes of New Zealand cheese per annum from 1 January 1980 on special terms and much of this is likely to come to the United Kingdom.

We are satisfied that New Zealand enjoys reasonable access to the United Kingdom for both butter and cheese at present, and we will, of course, bear her interests very much in mind when the post-1980 arrangements on butter are negotiated. We are in frequent contact with the New Zealand Government on this point.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the situation regarding the access agreement for New Zealand dairy products to the United Kingdom which runs out at the end of the current year and extension of which is being discussed at present within the European Economic Community.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The Government have emphasised the need for satisfactory access for reasonable quantities of New Zealand butter after the end of this year. We will keep the House fully informed as discussions in the Council of Ministers progress.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average price of a 250 gram packet of New Zealand butter; and how much of this is represented by import levies.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The average retail price of a 250 gram packet of New Zealand butter in May was 42p. About 13p of this price would be accounted for by the payment of the import levy.