asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state, in view of the importance of the UK market for Irish dairy products, when he expects the privileged position in that market now enjoyed by New Zealand as a non-member country of the EEC to terminate; and whether he will refuse to acquiesce in any further extension of that position which was renewed at the EEC Heads of Governments conference in Dublin in 1974.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Dairy Products.
21.
The import of New Zealand dairy products to the UK is governed by the provisions of Protocol 18 of the Accession Treaty which laid down specific annual quotas for butter and cheese in the period up to December, 1977, and provided for the maintenance of exceptional arrangements in respect of butter imports from New Zealand after that date.
The Heads of Government Conference in Dublin in 1975 laid down the guidelines along which this latter provision is to be implemented and specific quotas for butter, on a reducing basis, for the years 1978 to 1980 were agreed by the Council of Ministers in Luxembourg last June. No provision is made in the protocol for a continuance of cheese imports from New Zealand after 1977. Any special rights of access in the UK market enjoyed by New Zealand dairy products derived from the relevant protocol of the Accession Treaty and any implementing decisions taken since our accession either by the heads of Government or by the Council of Ministers are fully in accordance with the provisions of that protocol. I am fully aware of the importance of the UK market to our dairy industry and I will continue to do everything possible to protect and foster our interests in that market.
Am I to take it that after 1977 this privileged position for New Zealand will be discontinued?
No. The amounts of butter that New Zealand can continue to export to Britain for 1978, 1979 and 1980 have been fixed.
May I take it from the Minister's reply that they will have a privileged position until 1980?
They will have a privileged position until 1980 on specific quantities to be delivered and before 1980 the position will be considered again.
That is a poor position.
It is what the UK negotiated in their Treaty of Accession.
It had to be agreed by the member countries.
It had, of course, in negotiations.