Agricultural Marketing (Hansard, 10 December 1981)

§ 8. Mr. Michael Spicer
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has been able to make with agricultural marketing initiatives.

§ Mr. Peter Walker
There have been a great many marketing initiatives, both of a specific and of a general nature. I am pleased that there is now a greater awareness throughout the country of the need to market well. That has substantially contributed to the £900 million improvement in our balance of payments, resulting from the greater self-sufficiency of British agriculture and horticulture during the past couple of years.

§ Mr. Spicer
I hope that I understood that answer correctly. Is my right hon. Friend aware that there will be a considerable welcome in food producing circles for continued pressure on marketing? Is he aware that that is especially true because of today's news further that the French are giving another £500,000 for subsidies and export promotion?

§ Mr. Walker
It is important that Britain has a marketing operation as good as—indeed, far better than—those existing in France, Germany, Denmark and Holland. That is why I am having discussions with the industry about the best means to achieve improved and better co-ordinated marketing from the producer through to the final consumer.

§ Mr. Home Robertson
The right hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friend at the Scottish Office told me that about 4 million tonnes of straw were disposed of by burning on about 3 million acres of land in Britain. Would it not be more constructive and safer if the Minister assisted in developing more useful ways to market and use straw?

§ Mr. Walker
A number of developments are taking place in that sphere. Quite recently my Department did an assessment exercise on straw usage for heating glasshouses. We are actively considering such possibilities.

§ Mr. Myles
Will my right hon. Friend do all that he can to encourage the setting up of a central co-ordinating council for agricultural produce marketing, as has been suggested?

§ Mr. Walker
When we achieve a better method of coordinating our marketing, both at home and abroad, I want to ensure that there is an effective, executive body and not just a talking shop and general committee. That is why we are having detailed talks with everyone concerned.