asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether Polish exports of pork to the EEC benefited from monetary compensatory amounts to the extent of £39.14 per ton net in the week 17th to the 22nd, March 1975; whether this does not damage Irish export prospects; and the steps he is taking to correct the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pigmeat Imports.
18.
Supplies of Third Country, including Polish, pigmeat entering the EEC are subject to a monetary compensatory charge when the importing country has a revalued currency, such as Germany and the Benelux countries, and to a monetary compensatory subvention when the importing country has a devalued currency, such as the UK, France and Italy. On the other hand, a levy is charged on supplies of Third Country pigmeat entering the EEC, based on the difference between world feed grain prices and EEC feed grain prices plus a 7 per cent protective charge.
The amount of £39.14 per ton mentioned is the net monetary compensatory subvention less levy, paid on Third Country bacon imported into the UK.
As I indicated in connection with a question by the Deputy on 20th March, I am not satisfied with the MCA system and I have been pressing, with some success, for modifications in the system.
Will the Minister not agree that this state of affairs, where imports of pork from Communist bloc countries to the UK are subsidised, militates strongly against Irish pig producers?
I agree fully with the Deputy. I take up this matter whenever I get an opportunity. No later than the last meeting, I had a long discussion with Commissioner Lardinois about this matter. This is one of the instances where I think Community preference is not being operated and where the MCA system is shown in a poor light.