Vol. 423 No. 1
401 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the situation in relation to the next review of imports into the EC of New Zealand sheep meat and the submissions, if any, the Irish Government will be making in relation to restricting further these imports, particularly at times of the year when there is a surplus of sheep meat within the Community.
Arrangements for the import into the Community of sheepmeat are governed by the terms of a Voluntary Restraint Agreement (VRA) concluded with New Zealand. Under the VRA, New Zealand can supply up to 205,000 tonnes per year to the Community which is now about 85 per cent self sufficient in the sheep and lamb sector. The VRA was last reviewed in 1989 and terminates at the end of this year. In the absence of the VRA, imports without any quantitative restriction can take place provided an import duty at the rate of 10 per cent is paid.
As the arrangements to apply to imports of sheepmeat from New Zealand after 1992 are a matter for negotiation, it would not be appropriate to indicate Ireland's position in this regard. However, I can assure the House that the protection of Irish sheepmeat producers particularly in the light of the difficulties at present facing them, will be my prime concern in these negotiations.
