§ Mr. HindTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he plans to support European Commission proposals for quotas of imports into the Community for onions, cut flowers and soft fruit from eastern European countries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryThe European Commission has not proposed any quotas for imports into the Community for onions, cut flowers or soft fruit from eastern Europe.
A Commission action plan for co-ordinated aid to Poland and Hungary was agreed in principle on 3 October. As part of that plan the Commission put forward proposals for tariff concessions on a number of agricultural products of primary interest to Poland and Hungary, including dried onions, cut flowers and semi-processed fruit to be included in the Community's generalised system of preferences. Both I and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland are aware of the difficulties which tariff 304W concessions in these sectors pose for our industry. The package which has finally been secured involves smaller cuts in tariffs on certain products, including soft fruit, than those originally proposed. These changes should alleviate the impact of the measures on our growers and processors, while at the same time reflecting our commitment to assist the process of political and economic reform in eastern Europe.