§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what level of import duty or tax is applied to foreign apples coming from outside the EEC; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe common customs tariff of the Community in respect of third country apples is as follows:
Per cent. ad valorem 1 August-31 December 14 1 January-31 March 8 1 April-31 July 6 In addition countervailing charges may be levied under the reference price system.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current wholesale price of apples in London expressed in pence per pound.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe average wholesale prices of the main varieties of apples currently on sale in London are set out in the table. These figures are an average of the most usual prices recorded at New Covent Garden market for the week ending 2 November 1988.
Country of origin and variety of apple Class Pence per pound United Kingdom Cox's Orange I 22.7 II 16.9 Egremont Russet I 22.5 II 15.0 Laxton's Superb II 11.0 Spartan I 18.8 II 11.9 Bramley Seedling I 14.2 II 10.8 Howgate Wonder II 7.5 France Golden Delicious I 18.0 Granny Smith 1 17.0 Netherlands Cox's Orange 1 25.0 Elstar 1 14.3 Jonagold 1 18.1 Belgium Cox's Orange 1 16.7 Jonagold 1 24.4 West Germany Cox's Orange 1 18.0 United Stales of America Red Delicious 1 35.2 1 Prices not collected by class.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current policy of the EEC on the growing and marketing of apples.
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§ Mr. MacGregorThe EC policy on the growing and marketing of apples forms part of its general policy on fruit and vegetables, and is set out as follows in Council regulation (EC) 1035/72
the achievement of a balance between supply and demand at fair prices to the producer, account being taken of trade with third countries, while encouraging specialisation within the Community".These aims are implemented through a system of quality standards designed to improve the product, to guide production to meet consumers' requirements and to facilitate trade, and through measures to facilitate the formation of producer groups, as well as through a limited system of price support, export refunds, and import charges.