HC Deb 21 April 1986 vol 96 cc34-5W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the French Government concerning the stricter enforcement of non-tariff barriers to trade on imports from New Zealand to France; what reasons are given for these restrictions; whether Her Majesty's Government will veto any attempt by other member countries to impose further restrictions on United Kingdom imports of butter from New Zealand; and if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the tonnage of United Kingdom imports of butter and cheese from New Zealand each year since 1970.

Mrs. Chalker

Any restrictions on imports into the European Community are a matter for the Commission. The Commission is seeking information from the French on the extent of, and basis for, any restrictions on New Zealand imports into France in order to be able to respond to New Zealand's request for consultations under the GATT.

We remain fully committed to working for continued access for New Zealand butter. The Commission will introduce proposals for New Zealand's 1987 quota of butter exports to the Ec later in the year. The tonnages of United Kingdom imports of butter and cheese from New Zealand each year since 1970 are as follows:

Cheese Butter and butteroil
SITC code 024 tonnes S1TC code 023 tonnes
1970 66,538 157,419
1971 71,407 146,749

Cheese Butter and butteroil
SITC code 024 tonnes SITC code 023 tonnes
1972 64,314 117,732
1973 47,344 131,953
1974 19,173 119,440
1975 30,282 123,955
1976 30,562 122,626
1977 13,139 129,016
1978 2,076 129,779
1979 101 119,878
1980 6,712 104,832
1981 7,964 99,422
1982 7,173 99,152
1983 9,242 93,760
1984 6,111 89,110
1985 7,513 77,893

Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom.