asked the Minister for Agriculture the total amount of beef imported into the EC under favourable terms for 1983, 1984 and 1985; its value; the amount of beef imported from the different countries involved and its value; and the reason it is necessary to import such quantities of beef having regard to the surplus beef produced within the Community countries.
Written Answers. - Beef Imports.
198.
The following are quantities of beef imported into the EC in the years 1983, 1984 and 1985. The values of these imports are not available.
The main reason given for most concessionary imports in the beef sector is that they are tied to international agreements in GATT and go back to a time when the EC had a beef deficit rather than a surplus. Any restriction of the import concessions which have been granted would require the agreements themselves to be renegotiated and this in turn would necessitate compensation to the supplying countries concerned, e.g. by way of withdrawal of advantages for Community exports.
Table 1
EC Beef Imports by Country of Destination
(tonnes, carcase equivalent)
|
1983 |
1984 |
1985 |
|
|
France |
8,857 |
10,545 |
10,893 |
|
Belgium/ Luxembourg |
10,597 |
6,149 |
7,624 |
|
Netherlands |
17,916 |
15,714 |
17,677 |
|
Germany |
101,746 |
95,592 |
100,039 |
|
Italy |
137,936 |
133,545 |
163,228 |
|
UK |
151,390 |
141,712 |
148,891 |
|
Ireland |
— |
33 |
221 |
|
Denmark |
744 |
645 |
739 |
|
Greece |
18,444 |
10,503 |
14,711 |
|
Total |
447,580 |
414,438 |
464,023 |
Table 2
EC Beef Imports by Country of Origin
(tonnes, carcase equivalent)
|
1983 |
1984 |
1985 |
|
|
Austria |
46,875 |
53,448 |
83,905 |
|
Yugoslavia |
42,895 |
33,395 |
48,225 |
|
Poland |
26,551 |
21,852 |
24,817 |
|
Botswana |
22,653 |
21,502 |
NA |
|
Brazil |
144,996 |
147,725 |
161,333 |
|
Uruguay |
19,755 |
21,234 |
19,743 |
|
Argentina |
103,897 |
47,876 |
53,006 |
|
Australia |
14,315 |
7,653 |
8,804 |
|
Other Countries |
25,643 |
59,753 |
64,190 |
|
Total |
447,580 |
414,438 |
464,023 |