asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the effect of the sale of New Zealand lamb within the EEC countries on producers within the Community such as Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Zealand Lamb.
55.
The bulk of New Zealand lamb imported by the Community is imported into the UK where imports declined substantially in 1973 as compared with previous years. Under the terms of the Accession Treaty the UK is required to align its import duty on mutton and lamb from third countries, including New Zealand, in stages to the common customs tariff of 20 per cent thereby improving the position of Irish producers on the UK EEC system would be incompatible with the Common Market.
The whole question of future imports of mutton and lamb into the Community will arise for consideration when the EEC Commission's proposals for a common market for sheepmeat become available later this year.