asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the official Irish policy on the import of beef from Botswana to the EEC; and in deciding on such policy, the extent to which the particular development situation and needs of Botswana have been taken into account.
Written Answers. - EEC Botswana Beef Imports.
198.
When the ACP-EEC Convention of Lomé was signed in 1975, the Community undertook to allow importation of 13,766 metric tonnes of beef and veal from four ACP states, including 8,680 metric tonnes from Botswana, at a nil rate of duty and with a 90 per cent reduction in import charges, that is, levy and MCA. Regulations which were adopted to implement this undertaking were at that time intended to be in operation only for as long as the safeguard clause prohibiting normal imports into the Community applied. However in April 1977 when the safeguard clause was lifted, the Commission sought, and the Council agreed to, an extension of the regulations on the grounds that Community import restrictions would still prevent exports of beef and veal from ACP countries to the Community. The regulations have been further renewed on two occasions, most recently on 19 December 1978. The Government gave their approval to the regulations and the various extensions to them.
Because of the importance which the Government attach to the principles of the common agricultural policy, any proposal which involves a derogation from those principles must be viewed with serious concern. In agreeing to the extension of the regulations, the Government have, therefore, constantly emphasised the need to establish an alternative mechanism which would permit continued access for ACP beef and veal. The Commission has not yet succeeded in devising a satisfactory alternative.
The Government are very conscious that the Botswanan economy is very largely dependent on beef production. The social, economic and political implications of the question for Botswana were borne fully in mind in considering proposals to extend the regulations permitting continued access to the Community for ACP beef and veal.