HC Deb 27 April 1981 vol 3 cc325-6W
Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he will not inform the European Commission that the Government of the Republic of Ireland are waiving veterinary inspection fees in meat export plants, and complain that this constitutes unfair competition with United Kingdom meat exporters to the European Economic Community; and if he will now take steps to ensure that United Kingdom exporters are not at disadvantage with exporters from the Republic of Ireland by reason of different enforcement of expensive regulations.

Mr. Wiggin

The notification of national aids to the Commission is a requirement upon the member State concerned. The Commission has indicated that national aids for veterinary inspection costs are not in themselves incompatible with the State-aid provisions of the Treaty. It has, however, recently proposed a harmonised approach to charging for inspections carried out under the directive on poultrymeat hygiene, and we understand that Commission officials are also considering this possibility for other inspection charges.