§ 7. Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to encourage import substitution in the combined food and drink sector.
§ Mr. CurryWe are working to encourage the British food and drink industry to win markets through its efficiency and through the quality and safety of its products.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownMy right hon. Friend will be aware that this country has a trade deficit of about £5.5 billion in the food and drink sector, whereas Holland has a trade surplus of about £10 billion, including sales to this country of £1.6 billion. Does he agree that the key to reversing that trend lies in better marketing of agricultural produce? Will he examine the effectiveness of Food From Britain and any other measures to find out whether the promotion of British agricultural products can be improved so that we can sell more in the home market and prevent imports from being sold in this country?
§ Mr. CurryI agree with my hon. Friend. Food From Britain is being reviewed and we expect a report shortly. Marketing is the key and I hope that the improvements in farm incomes and commodity prices will not make farmers think that marketing has become less important. I am sure that my hon. Friend knows that a fortnight ago in Tewkesbury the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Sainsbury's ran a seminar on marketing for farmers and 60 of them turned up, which demonstrates how seriously we take the matter.