asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the quota arrangements at present operating in relation to Irish exports to the United States of beef, sugar, sugar confectionery and cheese; and the nature of the case being made for their expansion.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exports to US.
11.
Beef imports to the United States are subject to the imposition of quotas under the United States meat import law of 1964. Mandatory quotas do not apply at present but a voluntary restraint programme is in operation whereby supplying countries undertake to keep the total import quantity below the level which would bring the statutory restrictions into operation. Under this arrangement the 1971 quantity fixed for Ireland was 69.7 million 1b. and this amount was increased by 6.2 million 1b. on 3rd November, 1971.
Cheese of certain kinds is subject to quota under section 22 of the US Agricultural Adjustment Act. Ireland's total quota for 1971 was fixed at 756,500 lb.
Sugar imports are governed by the United States Sugar Act, 1948, and subsequent amendments. The Irish quota for each of the years 1972-4 was fixed on 14th October, 1971, at 5,371 tons—the same level as for the years 1965-71.
A new quota on sugar confectionery which will cover sweets and chocolates as well as chocolate crumb will come into effect in 1972 under the Sugar Act Amendment of 1971. Chocolate crumb is already subject to import quota under section 22 of the United States Agricultural Adjustment Act. Ireland's chocolate crumb quota for 1971 was fixed at 13.2 million lb. A case is at present being pressed for a quota allocation to Ireland for sugar confectionery and chocolate crumb which would adequately provide for our exporters' needs.
Are there any areas here where we have been failing to fill our quota over the past three years?
This information is not immediately available to me. I have got the information raised in the question but if the Deputy wanted any further information he would have to ask another question.
Make more work.
The Minister referred to a quota coming in in 1972 in respect of sugar confectionery. Will he say will this adversely affect us?
As I said, the case is being pressed for an allocation.
No. You talked about chocolate crumb. I am not talking about that. You referred to this new quota.
It is the same level as in the past five years.
The Minister said another quota was coming in in 1972. It will not be different?
The Irish quota— sugar——
It is not sugar.
If the Deputy reads the answer——
I listened to the answer. That is why I am asking the Minister.
What is the Deputy asking?
About a new quota in respect of sugar confectionery in 1972.
A new quota on sugar confectionery which will come into effect?
That is right, for 1972.
This is the one where I said a case is being pressed for an allocation at the moment.
The Minister does not know how it will end up?
We do not know the outcome.