HC Deb 27 June 1983 vol 44 cc28-9W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the amount of subsidy per pound paid by the European Community for the recently agreed contract to export 30,000 tonnes of butter to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and what was the approximate sale price to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics after this subsidy was paid.

Mr. MacGregor

The subsidy which may have been or may be payable on the exports to which my hon. Friend refers will depend upon the time and place at which the relevant export licences were taken out and whether the refund and—or monetary compensatory amount was fixed in advance. An indication of the refund and price which might apply is provided by the current export refund payable on butter exported from the United Kingdom to third countries including the USSR which is equivalent to 47p per pound. Taking the United Kingdom intervention price as a base, this refund would imply a selling price of approximately 53p per pound.

Community Stocks in Public and Assisted Private Storage
'000 tonnes
Commodity 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1982 dale at which stocks quoted
Wheat 591.5 1,032.5 1,567.5 3,335.5 1,701 5,292.5 mid June
Barley 140 59 156.5 409 173 900.5 mid June
Durum 19.5 161.5 130 182 575 759.5 mid June
Rye 295.5 444 373 294 283.5 293 mid June
Butter 308.1 453.1 311.7 156.9 126.6 548.3 mid June
Skimmed Milk Powder 827.1 443.5 157.4 220.8 343.2 876.7 mid June
Beef 273 158 166 190 42 232 end of May
Pigmeat(*) Nil 87.5 46 31.9 52 76.5 first week of June
Olive Oil 99 63 67 132 166 170 end of May
Oilseeds Nil Nil 92 19 37 2 end of May
Wine(†) 7.1 11.4 30.1 32.5 23.5 27.5 end of April
Footnotes
(*) Figures based on contracts concluded.
(†) Quantities quoted in million hectolitres.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of common agricultural policy expenditure was directed toward the disposal of surpluses during the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and what were the comparable percentages in each of the previous five years.

Mr. MacGregor

The following figures show the cost of disposal of surpluses through export refunds and internal disposal subsidies as a proportion of total expenditure under the common agricultural policy:

Per cent.
1977 46
1978 49
1979 59
1980 62
1981 63
1982 62