I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 26 and 62 together.
The European Community is 80 per cent self sufficient in sheep meat. The 20 per cent shortfall is made up from imports from third countries. These imports are regulated under voluntary restraint agreements and are also subject to the general agreement on tariffs and trade. Lamb and sheep meat exports from all member states of the Community to third countries, amount to 8,000 tonnes per annum or 1 per cent of Community production.
The revised regime for the sheep meat sector provides for the application of export refunds. The Commission, has not yet considered it appropriate to fix export refunds due to the small volume of trade and the potential financial implications for the Community budget.