§ 16. Mr. Moateasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the present levels of lamb exports to France.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe latest substantive information available is for January when exports of lamb and sheepmeat to France amounted to 2,524 tonnes.
Provisional indicators for February and information provided by exporters indicate that since then the level of exports has declined.
§ 31. Mr. Geoffrey Johnson Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in achieving a reduction of clawback for lamb exports to the European Community countries.
§ 43. Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether any agreement has yet been reached on the improvement of clawback arrangements for sheepmeat; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithAs my right hon. Friend told the House on 16 June, the Commission has not yet fulfilled the undertaking it gave at the time of the price fixing that clawback on sheepmeat would be calculated to take account of the price of export quality sheepmeat. However, at the Council on 15 June Mr. Thorn promised to put a well-balanced proposal to his colleagues in the Commission. We emphasised the urgent need for a proposal and in the meantime have maintained a reserve on other parts of the price fixing.