HC Deb 28 October 1982 vol 29 cc509-10W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the current levels of export rebates provided under EEC rules for the export of foodstuffs to nations outwith the EEC; and if he will express these figures where practicable in terms of pence per pound.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

[pursuant to his reply, 21 October 1982, c. 203]: Net refunds on exports from the United Kingdom of the main products applicable on 20 October are shown in the following table:

Net United Kingdom export refund*
Commodity and CCT Heading pence/lb
Common Wheat (10.01B1)† 2.48
Barley (10.03)† 2.27
White Sugar (17.01A1B)‡ 10.50
Butter 82-84 per cent. Fat Content (04.03EXA1V) 41.2
Cheddar Cheese (04.04E1(B)EX1) 35.62
Skimmed Milk Powder (04.02A11B1) 15.17
Beef ║ N/A
Eggs (04.05A1B) 5.63
Poultry Meat 70 per cent. Chickens (02.02A1B)¶ 6.32

*Converted from ECUs at the representative rate of 1 ECU=£0.618655 and multiplied by the monetary coefficient of 0.893. The resultant figure has been increased by the MCA which currently acts as an export subsidy.

†Refund available for exports to Zone 2B; different rates are normally available under the tendering arrangements.

‡ Different rates are normally available under the tendering arrangements.

║ Export refunds vary greatly according to the category of animal, type of meat, etc. It is not possible to give a representative figure.

¶ Applies to all destinations except United States of America.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total sum expended by the EEC in export rebates to enable foreign countries to obtain food supplies at prices below EEC levels in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures in the same periods of each of the previous 10 years.

Mr. Peter Walker

[pursuant to his reply, 21 October 1982, c. 23]: The following table, which is derived from the European Commission's anual reports on the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund, shows the cost of rebates paid on export of commodities from the European Community to third countries over the calendar years from 1972 to 1981, the latest available full year. I regret that information for 1971 is not readily available.

£ million
1972 954 mua 400
1973 1,046 meua 530

£ million
1974 690 meua 350
1975 946 meua 530
1976 1,551 meua 960
1977 2,589 meua 1,690
1978 3,538 meua 2,350
1979 4,732 meua 3,070
1980 5,452 mecu 3,300
1981 4,938 mecu 2,750