§ 1. Mr. Bill Walkerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements are in hand to safeguard the interests of soft fruit growers in the coming season.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mrs. Peggy Fenner)Soft fruit growers are protected against imports by the common customs tariff of up to 18 per cent. for fresh and frozen fruit and 11 per cent. for fruit pulp,.
Growers of raspberries and strawberries are further protected by the Community import licensing system. This was extended to pulped and frozen strawberries in 1981) as a result of the representations which my right hon. Friend made to the Commission on behalf of our growers.
§ Mr. WalkerI thank my hon. Friend for that comprehensive answer. Does she understand that the fruit growers in Strathmore are anxious about the import of pulp, because of the way in which it affected harvests in previous years? Will she give an assurance that there will be no unlimited quantity—that may have been covered in her earlier reply—as farmers are anxious about this year's crop and are looking to the Government and the European Community for support?
§ Mrs. Fennerrose——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. It is difficult for hon. Members to hear what is being said if the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) is talking at the same time.
§ Mr. SkinnerIf you will allow me to explain, Mr. Speaker, I will. I was speaking in that fashion because I have occupied this place on this Bench for 12 years, and hon. Members believe that they can muscle in——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman can tell me about his troubles another time.
§ Mr. SkinnerI am not the trouble.
§ Mrs. FennerI assure my hon. Friend that we shall continue to monitor the market closely in consultation with the Commission and that we shall press for effective action, as necessary, in the interests of growers, processors and consumers.