Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated advantages for bacon and pork imports from EEC countries in the United Kingdom market arising from present green currency rates; whether he will make representations to have an urgent change in the green pound rates; and if he will make a statement on the present state of the United Kingdom's pig industry.
§ Mr. MacGregor[holding answer 1 February 1988]: The monetary compensatory amounts payable on imports from Denmark and Holland are currently £53.85 per tonne for pig carcases and £68.93 per tonne for bacon sides. Our commitment is to see MCAs abolished in this sector. There are widely differing views within the EC on this issue and it will not be easy to achieve. But we shall be battling for MCA changes in the agricultural price review. I welcome the decision to reintroduce aids for the private storage of pigmeat which should help to strengthen the market; that decision was taken by the management committee as a result of pressure from the United Kingdom and other member states.