asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the value and quantity of poultrymeat imported into this country in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Poultrymeat Imports.
108.
The information sought is as follows:
|
Year |
Quantity (tonnes) |
Value (£000) |
|
1977 |
2,192 |
1,742 |
|
1978 |
4,298 |
3,802 |
|
1979 |
4,662 |
4,572 |
|
1980 |
5,132 |
5,757 |
|
1981 |
6,144 |
7,965 |
|
1982 |
6,967 |
9,057 |
|
1983 |
7,922 |
10,648 |
|
1984 |
7,833 |
11,204 |
|
1985 |
9,144 |
13,505 |
|
1986 |
10,940 |
16,168 |
Under EEC rules, there is free trade in poultrymeat. Imported poultrymeat, which accounts for about 15 per cent of our market, comes principally from Northern Ireland. The only effective way to withstand competition from imports is through improved efficiency in production, processing and marketing. In this connection, poultry processors here have benefited significantly through the availablity of national and EC grant aid. A total of 24 projects involving investment of £15.8 million have been approved for national and FEOGA grant aid, totalling £8.7 million in the poultrymeat processing area since 1980.