HL Deb 16 November 1987 vol 490 cc74-5WA
Lord Chelwood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the deadline for the European Community decision on New Zealand exports of butter to the United Kingdom and whether this requires unanimity.

Baroness Trumpington

Before 1st August 1988, the Council of Ministers, acting on a proposal from the Commission accompanied by a report, is required to take a decision on the maintenance of the exceptional arrangements for the import of New Zealand butter from 1st January 1989. This decision requires unanimity.

Lord Chelwood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish a table showing in metric tonnes the amount of butter authorised by the European Community for export from New Zealand to the United Kingdom annually since 1973, and whether they will oppose a cut of more than 2,000 tonnes.

Baroness Trumpington

The annual quantities of New Zealand butter authorised for import by the United Kingdom under special terms are as follows:

'000 tonnes
1973 165.8
1974 158.9
1975 120.0*
1976 122.0*
1977 138.2
1978 125.0
1979 120.0
1980 95.0*
1981 94.0
1982 92.0
1983 87.0
1984 83.0
1985 81.0
1986 79.0
1987 76.5
1988 74.5
*Originally fixed at 152 (1975), 145.1 (1976) and 115 (1980) but subsequently reduced by "gentleman's agreement".
It would be premature to speculate on the Government's negotiating position when proposals have not yet even been published by the Commission.