asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the present rate of the common external tariff of the EEC against (a) the more common industrial imports and (b) mutton and wool.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Common External Tariff.
5.
I would refer the Deputy to the English version of the Common External Tariff of the Community, which is in the Library of the House.
Is it not a fact that there is no Common Market policy on mutton and lamb? Can the Minister indicate when it is likely that there will be such a policy? This is of prime importance to our farming community.
There is a common external tariff of 20 per cent on mutton.
Even if we were a member we would not have free access for our mutton and lamb into France?
The market is not organised but that does not mean we would not have free access.
That point should be fully clarified.
I will clarify it if the Deputy wishes.
Would the Minister say that it would be in the interest of the sheep farmers of the West, from the point of view of the price of mutton and wool, that we should go into the EEC?
The market is not organised but we will have access to it and this is to our advantage.
I should like the Minister to say that it will lead to an improvement in the price of wool.
Yes, possibly.
Will the Minister state that because it is very important to the sheep farmers of the West?
I will get something on that.
Would the Minister go further and say that if we do not go in they will be faced with a 20 per cent tariff on these products which would make them non-competitive?
That is right.
Therefore we must go in.
Provided they have not got a trade agreement that does not make it necessary——
There is no disadvantage except that the market is not organised. There is access for members.