HC Deb 06 February 1986 vol 91 cc426-7
14. Mr. Yeo

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of cereal production for 1985.

Mr. Gummer

The United Kingdom production of cereals in 1985 is currently estimated at 22.3 million tonnes.

Mr. Yeo

Is my hon. Friend aware that, following a very sharp drop in farm incomes in 1985, there are many farmers in East Anglia, especially cereal farmers, who are anxious about possible measures to restrict the production of cereals, and that quite a number of them would favour the introduction of a quota system?

Mr. Gummer

I am aware of that, but I am quite sure that we shall need a package of measures. Foremost among them must be price restraint. There is no way in which we can deal with surpluses without a policy of price restraint.