asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will outline the position concerning access to EEC markets for beef, lamb and pork in carcase form as and from 1st January, 1973.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Agricultural Markets.
125.
For carcase lamb there will be no change from the present position.
For carcase pork as from 1st February a compensatory amount based on the difference between feed grain costs will be payable on exports to the UK and will be chargeable on exports to the other member countries. During the transitional period these compensatory amounts will be phased out in accordance with the gradual equalisation of feed grain prices over a period of five years.
As regards carcase beef detailed arrangements governing access to Community markets are not likely to be settled before the end of the year.
Could the Minister tell me if the compensatory amounts in relation to pork have yet been fixed?
I do not think so. In the case of ourselves and Britain it would be necessary to determine levels. which in themselves would be based upon the relativities of feed grain costs both here and in Britain and, indeed, in the Community as a whole.
In relation to pork which is sold centrally through the Pigs and Bacon Commission, can the Minister assure the House that there will be no radical change in relation to the price in the next 12 months?
I do not anticipate any radical change.
Could I ask the Minister by whom the compensatory amounts are being fixed and by whom Ireland is represented on the body fixing the compensation? There has been some disquiet that the British were trying to pull a fast one by trying to get a low compensatory amount.
This will almost certainly come before the Council of Ministers before Christmas.
126.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if there will be free access without weight limitation to the French market for chilled carcase lamb as and from this country's entry to EEC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under the terms of the Treaty of Accession as long as there is no common organisation of the market for mutton and lamb France may continue to apply the existing restrictions on imports of those products. It is understood that the introduction of a common organisation of the market will not be considered by the Council of Ministers until after 1st February, 1973.
Would the Minister accept it is very important that a common marketing policy be established for access to the French market and that it would be in the interests of this country to have special representations made to ensure that we do have free and continuous access without a weight limitation.
Yes, this country will certainly be pressing for a common agreement on sheep.
Could the Minister tell me if the Department or he himself have made any detailed submissions to the Commission as to the shape of the common organisation for this sector which they would like to see, as evidence of their seriousness in the matter.
I am not aware of the precise nature of any submissions made by our officials in Brussels, but I do know, because I have mentioned it myself as well, that we are keenly interested in the organisation of the sheep market on the same lines as markets for other commodities are organised.