Written Answers. - New Zealand Lamb Imports.
Frank Crowley
Ceist:
57
Mr. Crowley
asked the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
the amount of New Zealand lamb being imported into Ireland; when he agreed to the importation of New Zealand lamb; if his attention has been drawn to the reduced price for lamb available to Irish farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The European Community's 20 per cent shortfall in sheepmeat is made up by imports from third countries. These imports are subject to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and are regulated under voluntary restraint agreements.
Under GATT arrangements third country supplies of sheepmeat have free access to the Community market subject to a 20 per cent duty. On the setting up of the common organisation of the market on sheepmeat in 1980 the Community negotiated agreements with all the main suppliers including New Zealand, under which it was agreed to limit supplies in return for a reduction in the duty to 10 per cent. The voluntary restraint agreement concluded on 25 September 1989 between the Community and New Zealand was a renegotiation of the original agreement and was the culmination of protracted negotiations which has an impact on other commodities and has implications under GATT arrangements.
During these negotiations I was successful in ensuring maximum protection for the Irish producer while at the same time respecting our international obligations. Under the terms of the voluntary restraint agreement with New Zealand, Ireland and France have been designated sensitive zones to which quantitative restrictions apply. Under these arrangements New Zealand could issue voluntary restaint agreement export certificates up to a maximum of 450 tonnes in 1989 and 540 tonnes in 1990. However, in 1989 the total volume of New Zealand exports to Ireland amounted to only 30 tonnes and to date in 1990 to 86 tonnes. As Ireland's production of sheepmeat in 1989 exceeded 58,000 tonnes, the limited quantity of imports from New Zealand was not significant.
In the overall Community context, New Zealand agreed to reduce its annual quota by 40,500 tonnes to 205,000 tonnes and within that quantity, for the first time accepted a ceiling on fresh meat exports. In return, the Community agreed to reduce the import levy from the 10 per cent in the original agreement to zero.
I am aware of the current difficulties being encountered by Irish lamb producers due to a fall in market prices but I am glad to note some recovery has occurred in the last week or so. The drop in prices is due to a number of factors including the advantage to British lamb exports to the French market caused by the drop in the value of sterlingvis-à-vis the French franc, the lower level of clawback on British lamb exports and increased slaughterings both here and in Britain. The 1990 ewe premium will compensate Irish producers for income loss sustained this year. Total ewe premium payments this year, including payments in respect of the 1989 as well as about 60 per cent of the 1990 premiums, should exceed £130 million.
Córas Beostoic agus Feola will continue their vigorous efforts to promote the consumption of Irish lamb on domestic and European markets. Efforts will continue to ensure that the considerable marketing achievements in securing a top quality profile for Irish lamb on continental markets will be maintained.
