asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the quantities of New Zealand butter and cheese which will be permitted to enter the Common Market.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Zealand Dairy Produce.
19.
In each of the years 1975, 1976 and 1977 the following quantities of butter and cheese may, as an exceptional arrangement under the terms of Protocol No. 18 to the Accession Treaty, be imported from New Zealand into the United Kingdom:
|
Butter |
Cheese |
|
|
Metric tons |
Metric tons |
|
|
1975 |
151,994 |
45,720 |
|
1976 |
145,085 |
30,480 |
|
1977 |
138,176 |
15,240 |
Later this year detailed proposals for the maintenance of this exceptional arrangement in relation to New Zealand butter from 1978 to 1980 are to be elaborated by the EEC Commission but the quantities to be so provided for are to remain close to effective deliveries of New Zealand butter to the United Kingdom in 1974 and estimated deliveries in 1975. In the case of cheese, Protocol No. 18 provides that the exceptional arrangement referred to for the import of New Zealand cheese into the United Kingdom cannot be maintained after 31st December, 1977. The recent Dublin meeting of the heads of Government agreed that this situation and the problems which may arise from it are to be given due attention with appropriate urgency.
Is the Minister aware that it is very hard for milk processing plants to plan ahead? They expect that there will be further discussions and the quota could be increased. There is nothing definite. He has given us the figure but there will be further discussions. Is that right?
Why does the Deputy feel it is very hard for them to plan ahead? They have to deal with the same quantity of milk and they have always been able to dispose of it in the past. It is a reducing amount of New Zealand butter and cheese. In the case of cheese it is down to an insignificant figure. I do not think the processors have any difficulty whatever.
If you want to expand your premises or your factory you have to plan ahead. There is nothing definite about the position in regard to New Zealand. The quota may be renewed after 1977. We should fight this vigorously.
The happy position is that almost every processing factory in Ireland has excess capacity at present. It is now a question of getting the milk produced.
That is no credit to the Minister's term in office.
Of course it is.
There is less milk in the country now than when the Minister took office.