§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what concessionary tariff arrangements are available on beef imported from Argentina; and if he will make a statement. [23977]
§ Mr. RookerArgentina, along with certain other named countries, is able to benefit from the following concessionary tariff arrangements for imports of beef into the European Community
28,000 tonnes under the high quality ("Hilton") fresh, chilled and frozen import quota (as part of an overall total of 58,100 tonnes);700 tonnes of frozen thin skirt (as part of an overall total of 1,500 tonnes).In addition, such countries may export beef under concessionary import tariff arrangements which are open to all exporting countries. Under these concessionary import tariff arrangements, beef may enter the Community at reduced or zero levy.
Concessionary import arrangements are made under World Trade Organisation Agreements, to the proper observance of which the UK Government are deeply committed. The volume of imports allowed under these concessionary schemes amount to only 5 per cent. of total community production.