asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the basis on which third country agricultural imports are allowed into EEC countries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Agricultural Imports.
1.
Imports into the Community of agricultural products from third countries are subject to a variety of controls. The most important of these are variable levies and import duties but particular products may also be subject to additional import measures such as observance of minimum import prices, quality standards and in some cases quantitative limitation. In addition most agricultural imports are subject to the Community's safeguard clause system under which imports can be curtailed or suspended entirely when the Community market experiences or is threatened with serious disturbance.
Preferential access terms, mainly by way of duty reductions or exemptions, are afforded to certain products imported from countries or groups of countries which have trade or association agreements with the Community and to imports from developing countries under the Community's generalised scheme of preferences.
I regret that I did not hear the Parliamentary Secretary too clearly. Am I to take it that agricultural products are being imported into the EEC in spite of the fact that we may have excess production here of such goods?
That is so but there are conditions set down such as the variable import levies, custom duties, minimum import prices and the EEC association on trade agreements. They have such agreements with a large number of countries. Whether this will be changed or not is another day's work.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary convey to the Minister that it should be the policy to ensure that no imports take place into the EEC while we have excess agricultural products?
That is the Minister's policy and there is no need to convey that to him but it should be remembered that there are eight other members in the Community.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if we have the right of veto on this matter?
The veto is used on very rare occasions. A community could not work if, when a country was dissatisfied with the implementation of some regulation, it would use its veto. It is unlikely that that would happen.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that it is essential for the agricultural industry of this State that imports are not permitted while there is an excess of agricultural goods in the EEC and in our State? Will the Parliamentary Secretary give a guarantee that this will be the continuing policy of the Minister?
It will be the continuing policy of the Minister but whether it will be implemented is another question.