Vol. 478 No. 2
37 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the action, if any, he took as President of the EU Council of Farm Ministers or subsequently to ensure enforcement of the agreements between the EU Commission and the New Zealand authorities regarding imports of New Zealand vac-pack lamb; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10770/97]
The importation of New Zealand lamb into the European Union is controlled by quota fixed under the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement for Tariffs and Trade, which came into effect on 1 July 1995. Subject to the limits of the annual quota amount, the Uruguay Round Agreement did not provide for a formal restriction on the amount of fresh, chilled or vac-pack product which may be imported.
However, a commitment was given by the New Zealand authorities in the form of a "gentleman's agreement" to discuss the projected importation plans with the EU Commission each year, as well as to manage imports so as not to disrupt the EU lamb market. In respect of 1996, the commitment limited New Zealand's sale of fresh lamb to the EU to 17,000 tonnes, within the overall quota amount of 226,700 tonnes. As this voluntary restriction has been respected, it was not open to me to seek the implementation of any additional enforcement restrictions under the terms of the GATT.
I have been continuously vigilant in ensuring that the restrictions of the agreement between the EU and New Zealand on lamb imports are fully implemented. I have raised the matter at the Council of Ministers, most recently in February 1997, and in addition my Department receives a regular report on developments in that trade from the EU Commission.
