asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will have the 1980 GATT Agreement which allowed the introduction of New Zealand cheddar cheese into the EEC reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The 1980 GATT arrangement for the import of cheddar cheese into the EEC formed part of the comprehensive outcome of the Tokyo Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations. Any adjustment of the quantity of 9,000 tonnes provided for could only be made after renegotiations which would involve appropriate compensation to New Zealand and the other supplying countries concerned. In the case of New Zealand such compensation would almost certainly involve concessions on imports of other agricultural products from that country into the EEC.

Is the Minister aware of the serious shortfall in the export of cheddar cheese to the UK because of its price and also because of the disadvantage we are at because of this agreement? Would he take some action to have this agreement reviewed in the interests of the Irish cheese industry?

The agreement was made in 1980 and I should like to point out that the primary problem is due to a drop in demand for cheddar cheese on the British market. The imports from New Zealand are not a significant factor in the problems confronting the Irish cheddar industry at present. The problem is also due to increased production by the British.

Is the Minister not going to take any action to save our Irish cheese industry? If so, is he saying that New Zealand must be protected even though they are our biggest problem in the UK market?

As I pointed out, this agreement was made in 1980 by the Fianna Fáil administration. Any withdrawal of New Zealand cheese would have to be counteracted by replacement of a similar amount of other dairy produce and that would not be of any benefit to our agricultural industry.

6.