§ 36. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the concern arising from the decision to allow the importation of Polish potatoes, in view of the risk of bringing ringrot to this country; what are the reasons for importing Polish potatoes; what is the tonnage involved; and what precautions are to be enforced because of the risks entailed.
§ Mr. GodberNo decision has been taken to allow imports of potatoes from Poland this year. Such a decision would involve an amendment to the Importation of Potatoes Order, 1959. My right hon. Friend is well aware of doubts about the safety of potatoes from Poland, and for this reason he was happy to accept an invitation from the Polish Minister of Agriculture to send two officers to Poland to look into the matter. He is now studying their report, and he will reach a decision shortly. As the hon. Member knows, this season's home crop is not sufficient to meet the needs of the market and we require imports from all safe sources.
§ Mr. DoddsIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the assurance he has given will be very well received by many farmers, but is it not a fact that the Board of Trade has entered into a trade agreement with Poland under which we have undertaken to take from the Poles £300,000 worth of potatoes? If it is not so, will the hon. Gentleman say so? If it is so, is it not now engaged in a face-saving operation?
§ Mr. GodberNo. Obviously any agreement of a trading nature which has been entered into has to comply with the health regulations. These are compelling points. That is why I have said that we require a special variation of the order before any such potatoes can be imported.