HC Deb 25 June 1981 vol 7 c367
5. Mr. Bill Walker

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated yield of ware potatoes in the 1981 season.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The average yield of the past three years is 33.5 tonnes per hectare. Actual yield this year depends on growing conditions between now and harvest.

Mr. Walker

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware of the deep concern felt in Scotland about the penetration of the United Kingdom market by, in particular, Dutch seed potatoes? What proposals has he for dealing with that problem?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I hope that my hon. Friend will acknowledge that Scottish seed potato producers command about 90 per cent. of the English market, and that, with their reputation for quality, they will meet the challenge of retaining that share of the market.

Mr. Peter Fraser

Notwithstanding my right hon. Friend's characteristic opaque reply about forecasts, is it not a fact that it is expected that yields will be more or less comparable with those of the past two years and that, therefore, comparable problems will arise? Is my right hon. Friend satisfied, through the Potato Marketing Board and otherwise, with the arrangements for grading potatoes to ensure that there is a proper market and that market conditions are satisfied?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

If my hon. Friend thinks that it is possible to be precise about future yields, his crystal ball must be even more opaque than my own. I am genuinely worried that more than the target acreage has been planted and that growers may not have paid attention to last year's over-production. As my hon. Friend knows, we have taken steps with the Potato Marketing Board to authorise an advance buying programme which, we hope, should deal with any surplus that arises in the current year.

Mr. J. Enoch Powell

Bearing in mind the prominent position of Ulster in the production of seed potatoes, will the right hon. Gentleman modify his previous answer to the extent of acknowledging that there is room for competition between Scottish and Ulster seed potatoes in provision for this country and that 90 per cent. represents an excessive share of that market for Scotland?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman will acknowledge that Northern Ireland producers have a considerable share of the remaining 10 per cent. of the English market. Those producers have a fine record of marketing, not only in England, but in exports. I am sure that their example will be followed by Scottish producers and others in the United Kingdom.