§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent special sales of surplus food and wine have been agreed by the management committee of the EEC; and if he will specify the amounts of food and wine and the sale prices, respectively, expressed in pence per pound.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to his reply, 27 February 1986, c. 643]: At any one time CAP arrangements provide for a number of schemes to sell intervention stocks. These schemes tend to follow established patterns, but the following recent schemes have distinguishing features:
(i) Beef: Regulation 2670/85 of 23 September 1985
This regulation makes available beef bought into intervention after 31 December 1983, but at least three months before the time it is taken over by the purchaser. Purchase applications must be for a minimum of 40,000 tonnes (bone-in equivalent). Prices are as follows:
ecu/100 kg p/lb Bone-in Beef Forequarters 108.0 30.3 Hindquarters 200.0 56.1 Boneless Beef Higher value cuts eligible for export refund 245.0 68.8 Lower value cuts eligible for export refund 141.0 39.6 Lower value cuts not eligible for export refund 47.5 13.3 Sales are to traders who must export the beef to one of the destinations for which an export refund is fixed. Information on quantities sold is not available.
(ii) Beef: Regulation 2906/85 of 18 October 1985 This regulation makes 39,900 tonnes of beef available for sale for processing within the Community with special provision for reduced prices if the processed beef is used as part of a food aid programme organised by a member state. Prices are:
If for Food Aid Other ecu/100 kg p/lb ecu/100 kg p/lb Forequarters 115.0 32.3 153.0 43.5 Hindquarters 65.0 18.2 95.0 26.7 Information on quantities sold is not available.
(iii) Currants: Regulation 352/86 of 18 February 1986
This regulation makes 750 tonnes of 1984 crop currants available for sale for use in sauces and pickles. Prices are as follows:
ecu/100 kg p/lb 35 9.8 None has yet been sold.
(iv) Butter
The European Commission has proposed the sale of intervention butter at a reduced price to certain countries, including the USSR, India and Pakistan. The butter will be at least 18 months old and the amount of the price reduction will be determined by competitive tender. Normal export refunds will apply. The first invitation to tender under these arrangements closes on 18 March. It is not possible to give any details of quantities or price or to say whether such sales will in fact take place until the results of the tender are known.