HC Deb 17 January 1980 vol 976 cc1846-7
2. Mr. Hardy

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the volume of wine produced by European Economic Community member States and by the three applicant States in 1979; what is the expected volume of production in five year's time; and what is the volume of the current surplus.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The Commission's provisional estimates for the 1979 wine harvest are at 167 million hectolitres for the EEC, and approximately 58 million hectolitres for the three applicant countries. Given the many uncertainties involved it is not possible to make sensible estimates of production five years hence. The Commission estimates the current surplus at between 6 million and 10 million hectolitres per annum.

Mr. Hardy

Will the Minister recognise that, on present trends and intentions over the next 15 years or so such a level of surplus will be achieved as to make the problems and cost of storage absurd, or alternatively, the promotion of consumption such as to lead to a part of the population of Western Europe becoming alcoholic by the end of 1990?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

That is why we supported the wine package proposed by the Commission, which strikes at the root of the problem in trying to get some of the area of land currently used for the production of wine out of production. In the last negotiation, we achieved the reduction of the contribution to the net benefit of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Robert Atkins

What pressure is the Minister bringing to bear on the EEC to protect the interest of English wine, a fine commodity made in this country?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I am glad to reassure my hon. Friend that the English wine producer is excluded from the restrictive measures proposed in the wine package. What we have achieved in the package—I reply to a point that I missed earlier in relation to this question—is an encouragement for the consumption of wine. Those who indulge in home making of wine are helped in the supply of musts from European countries.

Mrs. Dunwoody

As the EEC seems to want special pricing in oil, with cheap rates, will the Minister address himself to the question of getting cheaper Burgundy for Britain, and one or two Beaujolais along with it?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

That is an extremely interesting suggestion.

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