HC Deb 19 October 1971 vol 823 cc537-8
28. Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on marketing of the 1971 cereal harvest.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

There is nothing which I can usefully add to what I said in reply to my hon. Friend on 29th June and to the information available from published sources.—[Vol. 820, c. 195.]

Mr. Morrison

Would my lion. Friend acknowledge that this year's harvest has been exceptionally above the three-year average? Does his reply imply that he is satisfied that the marketing of this very good harvest will create no problems?

Mr. Stodart

I am very glad to confirm that this has indeed been one of the best harvests ever. So far as marketing Roes, the minimum import prices are having their effect upon both spot and forward prices. The market is thus giving an incentive to store and I think that farmers do get good guidance on this from the Cereals Authority.

Mr. Hooson

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that not only has the harvest been very good in this country but that the world harvest has been very good and that, contrary to what his right hon. Friend said about world food prices still rising, the evidence is that cereal prices in the world are falling, and that this is reflected in the feedingstuffs price now paid by farmers? What steps does the hon. Gentleman and his Minister intend to take, in view of the fact that their own prognostication that world food prices would continue to rise has not proved to be correct?

Mr. Stodart

I thought that I had given my view that the Government's policy, which is one of gradually increasing minimum import prices, is having its effect and stabilising the market.