§ Lord Beswickasked Her Majesty's Government:
What the New Zealand annual butter quota was in 1964; what it is today; and what is proposed for 1988.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)The current quota regime for the import of New Zealand butter stems from arrangements negotiated at the time of our accession to the European Community which were designed to take account of New Zealand's traditional dependence on our market. The initial quota has been progressively reduced and today stands at 76,500 tonnes—less than half the 1973 level. A further reduction of 74,500 tonnes has already been agreed for 1988, when the future of the regime as a whole is due to be reviewed by the Council of Ministers. Prior to our joining the Community, imports were subject to UK national trade arrangements which for the financial year 1964–65 set a maximum level of 170,700 tonnes.