(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Agriculture the prospects he envisages for defeating the current proposals for the importation of live cattle and beef into the European Community at this time when aspects of the beef intervention system are under threat.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Importation of Live Cattle and Beef.
38.
The several special regimes for the importation of cattle and beef into the European Community are tied to international agreements. I have always been opposed to these imports because of the displacement effect on the EC market and I will be raising the matter again in the Council of Ministers in the context of forthcoming discussions on the future of the beef market organisation.
The decision taken in the Council last week envisages a decrease in such imports in 1986 but even the reduced level was opposed by this country.
(Limerick West)): Even the reduced level is still significant. Could the Minister indicate if he will be following this positively and vigorously in the proposed agricultural price review? After all it is very wrong that member states and producers of member states should suffer because of this agreement. It is imperative that the Minister ensure that this system is brought to an end.
The bulk of these products, especially the beef products, are imported into the EC under GATT agreements. GATT agreements are internationally binding. They are legally binding internationally. You cannot terminate them even if you wish to. It is the same type of agreement by which New Zealand lamb comes into the Community. It is a GATT agreement. The best we can hope to do is by bilateral negotiations to get agreement on a reduction of the level of importation. That type of reduction was agreed upon after a great deal of discussion at last week's meeting of the Council of Ministers. We are always vigilant and always lobbying to see that the level of imports of beef, both processed and live, into the EC from third countries is reduced.