asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he was aware of the likely increase in meat exports from Argentina in July, 1973, when the new agreement between the EEC and Argentina was made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Argentinian Meat Exports.
227.
The current agreement between the EEC and Argentina was already in operation before Ireland acceded to the European Communities. It came into force on 1st January, 1972, and runs for three years. After that it is renewable on a year-to-year basis by agreement between the two parties.
As far as I remember the Minister, in replying to previous questions, mentioned that the agreement was reached in July, 1973?
There is a number of agreements. This came into force on 1st January, 1972, and it is there for three years.
Did the Minister not realise when this was renewed in July, 1973——
It was not renewed in 1973. It is there for three years but will be renewable after three years on a year-to-year basis.
If memory serves me right——
It does not. The Deputy will have to look at the record and come back.
I understand that there are large stocks of beef in the Community. I saw an advertisement in the papers last week seeking tenders for the disposal of this beef. Does it make sense to import from third countries when such large stocks are available?
Of course it does not. But imports from third countries have been cut down and suspended altogether in the case of four of the members. We do not import anything. That makes five of the member States.
The remaining questions will appear on the Order Paper for the next sitting day.