HC Deb 19 March 1981 vol 1 cc414-5
4. Mr. Peter Fraser

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he is making to improve the marketing of agricultural production.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Peter Walker)

I am discussing with several sectors the potential for improved marketing. I am particularly concerned to see producers, processors and distributors work more closely together. I am following with interest the discussions on a possible new central marketing body.

Mr. Fraser

Whatever consideration my right hon. Friend may still have to give to the funding proposals contained in the marketing working party report of the BAC, will he publicly give his approval to the four principles on which it says that it is necessary to base a marketing strategy—namely, the establishment of consistent quality standards and continuity of product availability, awareness of the requirement of the final consumer, co-ordination of promotion, and priority to export activity?

Mr. Walker

Yes.

Mr. Geraint Howells

Does the Minister agree that if we are to survive we shall have to improve our selling methods within the Community, instead of selling our surpluses to the Russians at give-away prices?

Mr. Walker

There is terrific scope within the Community for British agriculture and food products. It is interesting to note that in a number of spheres considerable expansion is now taking place.

Mr. Adley

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the marketing of frozen chickens by United Kingdom chicken processors is being hampered by the different standards of health inspection in this country and in other EEC countries? For example, is he prepared to recommend that one way of overcoming the problem is to have an international interchange of inspectors, so that our inspection standards are imposed on processing factories in other EEC countries?

Mr. Walker

I am not particularly determined to direct our inspectors to go to foreign parts. However, I am glad to say that the Commission has agreed to come forward in the near future with proposals so that, both in terms of the standard of enforcement and the method of payment for that enforcement, an identical system operates throughout the Community.

Mr. James A. Dunn

Will the Minister pay particular attention to the need to provide for any regional variation that might be required in any central purchasing organisation, or any central system, that he is helping to create, or perhaps even sponsoring? Will he have special regard to Northern Ireland?

Mr. Walker

There is a range of specific problems in Northern Ireland affecting both agriculture and horticulture. Primarily, those matters are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. I know that he is reviewing them with the farming organisations.