The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.
Mr. Spearing
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why a levy of approximately 9p per pound was placed on imports of Canary Island tomatoes; and whether he was a party to this decision.
Mr. Strang
The countervailing charge applicable in the Community on Spanish—including Canary Island—tomatoes equivalent to about 9p per lb. was introduced on 8th April, reduced to about 51p per lb. on 15th April and removed on 22nd April. Its introduction, level and removal depended automatically on the relationship between the Community entry price and the reference price. I was a party to the fixing of higher reference prices for glasshouse produce this year because of the increased production costs faced by British and other Community growers.