asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that the Guernsey Tomato Board, knowing that they had the only supplies of British tomatoes available, decided that they would supply only two importers and send less than half the quantity required with the consequence that they were able to obtain sixpence to 1/- per pound more than in the United Kingdom markets; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Imported Tomatoes.
25.
The information available to me shows that the suggestions made in the question are unfounded.
The arrangement under which the Guernsey Tomato Board sends supplies through two agents here has been in operation for many years. I propose to review the position generally before next season.
Is it not true to say that tomatoes were normally imported here by 22 importers—11 principal importers—and that the Minister, in fact, issued his licences on the basis that these two importers got less than half of the total licences and, if tomatoes were not normally imported by at least 11 importers, the Minister, surely, would not have issued his licences in this way; and is it not wrong that the British should be allowed to monopolise this business and impose conditions through the Agreement?
The Deputy is confusing the open period which exists up to 7th May, when tomatoes can be imported freely and for which all the various people involved are issued with licences, with the period after 7th May, when no imports of tomatoes are permitted, except the 850 tons we are committed to under our Trade Agreement to allow in from the UK during what we call the closed period. In that closed period, licences are still issued to all of the importers concerned but the Guernsey Board restricts its exports to this country to two firms. That is not of my doing.
Why does the Minister allow this? That is what I am asking. He knows it is not allowed in Northern Ireland.
It has been in operation since 1959 and apparently has worked satisfactorily up to this year. Everything in this situation is not what it seems to be. There are various conflicting commercial interests involved. Now that the Trade Agreement comes to have a bearing on the situation I propose to have a look at the position for next year.
That is good enough— so long as the Minister undertakes to ensure it will not be used to monopolise.
There are no innocents on either side in this affair.