§ 12. Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are her scientific priorities to ensure the future competitiveness of British horticulture.
§ Mr. JackIn the last financial year, we spent £15.4 million on research aimed at improving the industry's ability to meet the key market requirements of quality, flavour and availability.
§ Mr. GreenwayHave the large amounts of taxpayers' money which have been spent on research in the horticultural industry yielded any practical results? If so, will my hon. Friend give some specific examples of achievements in that sphere?
§ Mr. JackI am glad that my hon. Friend has asked that question because we had a question earlier on the subject of pesticides and I can tell my hon. Friend that our research resulted in the awarding of a Queen's award for work on biological control agents for insects and pests, which will reduce the need for chemicals. The famous Ballerina apple tree was developed as a result of our research and 1 million of them have now been sold in Europe. A new forecasting system for apple scab—I know that the Opposition think of nothing else—was also a result of that splendid research work.