asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will explore the possibility of getting from the French authorities concerned more reasonable advance notice of the opening and closing of French markets for Irish lamb.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - French Markets for Irish Lamb.
37.
Imports of lamb into France from non-EEC countries are regulated under a minimum price system, the operation of which is based on the price of lamb at two markets in Paris. Under this system the French market opens automatically when prices exceed certain pre-determined levels and closes automatically when prices fall below those levels. The difficulties which this entails for Irish exporters have in fact been brought to the notice of the French authorities, who, however, do not consider that it is possible for them to change their established system.
I might add that, as the opening or closing of the French market is determined by the levels of prices in Paris in two successive weeks, those engaged in the lamb trade can normally obtain an indication about a week in advance of a possible change in the import situation.