HC Deb 17 October 1989 vol 158 cc94-5W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish in theOfficial Report the landed price before payment of duty of imports of New Zealand lamb in 1988, 1978 and 1968 together with (i) the average New Zealand export price, (ii) the corresponding price paid to British farmers, (iii) imports from New Zealand and Australia and (iv) United Kingdom production, imports, exports and consumption of sheepmeat.

Mr. Curry

The average cif price (the nearest equivalent to a 'landed' price) for New Zealand lamb was 103 pence/kg (p/kg) in 1988. No figures are available for 1968 and 1978 or for average fob export prices.

The average prices (including variable premium) paid to British farmers for lamb have been as follows:

Year P/kg (estimated dressed carcase weight)
1968 140
1978 137
1988 222
1 Decimal equivalent

(Source: Agriculture in the United Kingdom)

Imports from New Zealand:

Year Quantity (tonnes)
1968 320,608
1978 213,610
1988 112,260

(Source: HM Customs and Excise)

Imports from Australia:

Year Quantity (tonnes)
1968 16,638
1978 11,551
1989 6,979

(Source: HM Customs and Excise)

United Kingdom production:

Year Quantity (tonnes)
1968 246,000
1978 248,000
1988 345,000

(Source: Agriculture in the United Kingdom)

United Kingdom imports:

Year Quantity (tonnes)
1968 352,596
1978 227,083
1988 121,469

(Source: HM Customs and Excise)

United Kingdom exports:

Year Quantity (tonnes)
1968 8,019
1978 42,509
1988 85,243

(Source: HM Customs and Excise)

United Kingdom domestic uses:

Year Quantity (tonnes)
1968 586,000
1978 409,000
1988 372,000

(Source: Agriculture in the United Kingdom)