§ 65. Dr. TwinnTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department has taken to promote exports of British sheepmeat.
§ Mr. GummerWe set up Food From Britain in 1983 with the aim of encouraging and developing the marketing of British food and drink. British lamb and mutton is one of the many products which FFB actively promotes in overseas markets, in close collaboration with the extensive export services of the Meat and Livestock Commission. The Government have fought to maintain free and fair terms of trade under the EC sheepmeat regime. Since the regime was negotiated in 1980, our exports to the 733W Community have risen from 36,829 tonnes to 63,611 tonnes in 1986 with a further increase expected in the final figures for 1987. In 1986 our total exports of sheepmeat, to all destinations were worth some £134 million.