asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will outline the conditions under which third country, and in particular New Zealand, mutton and lamb will be imported into the enlarged EEC; if any negotiations have taken place on this matter since the signing of the treaty of accession to the EEC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sheepmeat Imports into EEC.
29.
Until a common organisation of the market for sheepmeat is adopted by EEC, imports of mutton and lamb from third countries into the present Six members will continue to be subject to the existing common external tariff of 20 per cent and may also be subject to further restrictions imposed by individual member states. In the enlarged EEC the present UK customs duty on imports from New Zealand and other countries, except Ireland, will be adjusted upwards over the transitional period to full alignment with the common external tariff in 1977. The same will apply to Ireland's import duty on mutton and lamb but in our case imports, other than from Northern Ireland, are prohibited and we will of course have in EEC the continued import control on veterinary grounds provided for in the Accession Treaty.
No negotiations have so far taken place on the common organisation of the market for sheepmeat in EEC and the position of imports from third countries.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say whether the common external tariff of the Community will operate on the same basis for chilled and frozen lamb? I understand that the British have been seeking to have a distinction made which would enable more New Zealand lamb to be brought in than would be brought in if the same tariff was applied to both frozen and chilled lamb. Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell me if any negotiations in this regard have taken place since the Treaty of Accession was signed?
No negotiations have taken place so far but we are very much alive to the position. It is in our interest now to have adopted a common organisation of the market for sheep. We are endeavouring to have this done and discussions will take place in January. Of course the point which the Deputy has raised will be of some concern to us.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that Deputy Bruton is referring to negotiations between Britain, New Zealand and the Common Market in relation to this matter?
I am so aware.