§ 48. Mr. Bodyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the level of imports into the United Kingdom of New Zealand dairy produce; and if he will make a statement about future levels.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe trade statistics show that in 1984 the United Kingdom imported from New Zealand 89,749 tonnes of butter, 6,111 tonnes of cheese and 66 tonnes of milk powder. Not all of this will necessarily have entered into free circulation.
For the future the United Kingdom is authorised to import on special terms 81,000 tonnes and 79,000 tonnes of butter from New Zealand in 1985 and 1986 respectively. The quantity of imports in 1987 and 1988 is to be determined by the EC Council of Agriculture Ministers before 1 August of the previous year on the basis of a report and proposal from the Commission. The Council is to decide before 1 August 1988 on the maintenance of the special arrangements after 1 January 1989. In addition, New Zealand may export to the European Economic Community on special terms up to 9,500 tonnes of cheese annually, most of which is expected to come to the United Kingdom.