Import Levies (Hansard, 28 April 1981)

§ Mr. Teddy Taylor
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the total import levies charged on imported butter, cheddar cheese, boneless frozen beef and lamb-frozen carcases in April of each of the years between 1973 and 1980 which correspond to the levies of 60.49p, 61.14p. 67.03p and 27.24p per pound, respectively, which were being levied on 13 April 1981.

§ Mr. Peter Walker
The following is the information requested:

Butter^*† Cheddar Cheese^‡ Boneless Beef^** Frozen Lamb^‡‡¶

pence/lb^{‡ ‡} pence/lb^{‡ ‡} pence/lb^{‡ ‡} pence/lb

13 April 1973 Nil Nil Nil Nil

13 April 1974 10.67 11.06 Nil Nil

13 April 1975 20.13 22.30 28.37 Nil

13 April 1976 33.07 30.21 43.04 Nil

13 April 1977 30.59 33.66 41.17 Nil

13 April 1978 45.29 42.99 58.14 Nil

13 April 1979 57.22 45.44 43.81 Nil

13 April 1980 61.90 52.22 49.50 Nil

Footnotes

^* The commodity rates given relate to common customs tariff heading 04.03A (fat content by weight of 82 per cent. to 84 per cent.).

^† There is a special rate for New Zealand butter.

^‡The commodity rates given relate to common customs tariff heading 04.04 Elblbb.

^** The commodity rates given relate to common customs tariff headings 02.01 AIIa2dd22ooo—1973–1976

02.01 AIIb4bb33–1977 to date.

389W
^‡ The heading relates to common customs tariff heading 02.01 AIVb1.
^{‡ ‡} Figures shown represent total levies after any accession compensatory amounts (ACAs) and monetary compensatory amounts (MCAs) have been applied. Conversion from units of account or European currency units into sterling has been made by using United Kingdom representative rates and multiplying the resultant figures by the appropriate monetary coefficient.
^¶ Import levies were not introduced until 20 October 1980. Before that date an import duty of 20 per cent. of cif value was charged; since then import charges have been limited to 10 per cent. of cif value as a result of the voluntary restraint agreements negotiated with principal suppliers.

§ Mr. Teddy Taylor
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the purpose of levying an import tax of 60.49p per pound on imported butter and an import tax of 67.03p on beef; and if these levies are likely to increase or be reduced in consequence of the recent European Economic Community price review.

§ Mr. Peter Walker
The rates of levy quoted by my hon. Friend—which include the United Kingdom MCA import charge—are the increased rates fixed for imports from third countries generally in the light of the changes in institutional prices agreed at the recent price fixing. In practice almost all beef and butter imported into the Community come in under preferential arrangements at substantially reduced or nil rates. The main function of import levies is to protect the Community's price support system for agricultural products.

	Butter^*†	Cheddar Cheese^‡	Boneless Beef^**	Frozen Lamb^‡‡¶
	pence/lb^{‡ ‡}	pence/lb^{‡ ‡}	pence/lb^{‡ ‡}	pence/lb
13 April 1973	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
13 April 1974	10.67	11.06	Nil	Nil
13 April 1975	20.13	22.30	28.37	Nil
13 April 1976	33.07	30.21	43.04	Nil
13 April 1977	30.59	33.66	41.17	Nil
13 April 1978	45.29	42.99	58.14	Nil
13 April 1979	57.22	45.44	43.81	Nil
13 April 1980	61.90	52.22	49.50	Nil
Footnotes
^* The commodity rates given relate to common customs tariff heading 04.03A (fat content by weight of 82 per cent. to 84 per cent.).
^† There is a special rate for New Zealand butter.
^‡The commodity rates given relate to common customs tariff heading 04.04 Elblbb.
^** The commodity rates given relate to common customs tariff headings 02.01 AIIa2dd22ooo—1973–1976
02.01 AIIb4bb33–1977 to date.