asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that certain egg exporters are unable to take up offers from Northern Ireland egg importers because of the UK minimum import price system for eggs and egg products; and if he will make a statement on the matter with particular reference to the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Egg Exports.
18.
I am not so aware. Exports of eggs to the Six Counties since 31st March last, when the UK minimum import price system came into operation, have been slightly above the level of the corresponding period of last year.
As announced by my Department on 4th March last, the UK Government decided to introduce the minimum import price system for shell eggs and certain egg products with a view to stability of the UK egg market following their decision to phase out their present producer price guarantee system and abolish the British Egg Marketing Board. The new system provides that, if shell eggs and egg products are sold on the UK market below the prescribed minimum import prices, a general import levy will be imposed equal to the amounts by which the lowest prices of imported eggs and egg products from any country supplying a significant quantity fall short of the minimum import prices. As a result of discussions between the British and Irish Governments these levy provisions do not apply to eggs imported from Ireland and no question of a levy would arise unless the Irish exports themselves were supplied below the UK minimum import prices. Arrangements were made with the few small exporters concerned to observe the new UK minimum import prices.
Will the Minister not admit that the "few small exporters" referred to in the last sentence of his reply have received offers from Northern Ireland egg importers that were well below the minimum import price? How can the Minister say that the levy does not apply to us when, in fact, if it did not apply there would be no sanction against our people from breaking this minimum import price?
I have said in my reply that those provisions do not apply to eggs imported from Ireland and that is the position. If there is any variation of which the Deputy is aware I should like to hear about it.
Is the Minister aware that these small egg exporters have been offered contracts to supply eggs at a price less than the minimum import price?
I am not so aware.
I will supply the information to the Minister.