§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the European Commission regarding frontier prices for trading in soft fruit for processing and the arrangements for policing this trade.
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§ Mr. Donald ThompsonWe have made frequent representations to both the Council and the Commission of the European Communities about frontier prices of semi-processed soft fruit. In doing so, we have stressed the need for the Commission to take effective measures to stop low-priced imports undermining the Community market. Steady improvements have been achieved in the price agreements negotiated by the Commission with the main suppliers (Poland and Yugoslavia).
Those agreements are voluntary, but my Department monitors imports closely and we are ready to press the Commission to introduce safeguard measures, as it did in the case of raspberry pulp last year, if this appears to be necessary to avoid disruption of the market.