Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 7

Written Answers. - New Zealand Lamb Imports.

Hugh Byrne

Question:

44 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will seek changes in the quantities of lamb imported into the EU and, particularly for lamb imports from New Zealand; if he will insist that the imports should be evenly divided throughout the year in order that it does not cause serious market disruption at any given time; if he used the opportunity of his recent visit to New Zealand to explain the difficulties for the sheep industry created by New Zealand imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14417/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

The arrangements for the import of lamb into the European Union are set out in the basic regulation governing the common market organisation for sheepmeat and various international agreements between the Union and its trading partners.

New Zealand had traditionally a GATT right of unlimited access to the Community market subject to a 20 per cent rate of duty. Under a long standing voluntary restraint arrangement New Zealand agreed to limit its exports to the Community market to specified quantities (e.g. 205,600 tonnes in 1994) in return for the waiving of the levy. This was in the interests of both parties.

New arrangements for the lamb imports from New Zealand have been fixed under the Uruguay Round for the period up to June 2000. These give New Zealand access for 216,150 tonnes at zero levy. Quantities above that level would attract a tariff fixed at 20 per cent plus 3,664 ecu per tonne for boneless frozen, which in normal circumstances would be prohibitive. This agreement cannot be renegotiated at this stage. However, there is an informal agreement between New Zealand and the European Union under which New Zealand has undertaken to market chilled lamb in a manner which will not disturb the market in the European Union. They have also agreed to have annual consultations with the EU Commission.

During my recent visit to New Zealand, I went to great lengths to ensure that the New Zealand authorities were made fully aware of the importance of the lamb export market for Ireland and the difficulties which imports of lamb from third countries posed for our processors and exporters. I am satisfied that the New Zealand authorities are now better informed of our concerns and that they are fully committed to the orderly marketing of their lamb on the European Union Market.