§ 7. Mr. Flanneryasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if British farmers are now producing a food surplus.
§ Mr. JoplingNo. Although production of certain commodities exceeds home consumption, overall, the United Kingdom is three quarters self-sufficient in the production of temperate foodstuffs.
§ Mr. FlanneryIs it not a fact that farmers now receive massive subsidies which are bigger than those given to British industry and that, although food production is increasing, the price of food is also increasing? Does he agree that the prairieisation of our countryside is deplorable and that, because of the massive subsidies given to farmers, hedges, ditches, trees and bushes are being destroyed and massive fields upwards of 1,000 acres now litter the countryside in many areas?
§ Mr. JoplingI must reject what the hon. Gentleman says and ask him in future, before he asks such questions, to do a little homework. He might realise that, as I said a few moments ago, over the years food prices have risen less than prices in general. With regard to the horrific word "prairieisation", I draw his attention to the fact that a few weeks ago I announced the termination of capital grants for digging up hedges in the lowlands. I also announced new Government money to assist the rebuilding of hedges and walls in upland areas. I therefore utterly reject the hon. Gentleman's allegation.
§ Mr. John TownendDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the British public get far better value from the support that is given to agriculture than from the subsidies that are given to the railways and the Coal Board?
§ Mr. JoplingI could not agree more with my hon. Friend. He is absolutely on the ball.
§ Mr. Geraint HowellsWhat plans has the Minister in mind for the time when British agriculture is overproducing food?
§ Mr. JoplingI do not see any prospect at present of British agriculture overall producing more temperate food than we can use. The hon. Gentleman will recall from last year's White Paper that we were producing 76 per cent. of temperate foodstuffs. We have a very long way to go in certain sectors of agricultural production, and I do not think that what he has in mind is a practical possibility at present.
§ Mr. Robert HughesIs the Minister agreeing with his hon. Friend that agriculture should be open to the same monetarist philosophy as is being applied to other parts of British industry?
§ Mr. JoplingI was merely agreeing with my hon. Friend that this country gets better value from the Government subsidies that go to agriculture than it does from the assistance given to many other industries up and down the country.