HC Deb 20 January 1982 vol 16 c144W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to persuade the European Economic Community to cease supplying the USSR with cheap and subsidised food in light of the recent events in Poland.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Following the United States decision to lift its partial embargo, Community sales of foodstuffs to the USSR qualify for export refunds on the normal basis. The exceptions are sales of butter and butter-oil, where the export refunds have been set at nil since 1 January 1981. In addition, the Commission has undertaken to bring to the Council's attention any proposals for sales of foodstuffs involving unusually large quantities or particularly favourable terms for the USSR.

With our Community and other Western partners Her Majesty's Government are keeping the question of sales to the USSR of agricultural and other products under close review in the light of developments in Poland.