asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his arrangements for ensuring that the reference price system for imported frozen fillets is being observed fully; and, in particular, whether each transaction is scrutinised or whether reliance is placed on the average price of such imports over a period.

Daily reports are received from the ports as to prices of imported frozen fish. All individual transactions are scrutinised. The full reports are transmitted to the Commission. In the event of the development of a price trend falling below reference prices the Commission may take action itself and it is open to any member State to request the Commission to take action. The Commission may impose a ban or less stringent restrictions on imports from one or more third countries. These measures would apply to the whole Community market.