HC Deb 08 December 1994 vol 251 cc458-9
4. Mr. Lester

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what actions he took on apple day to help the apple industry.

5. Mr. Butler

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to encourage British shops to sell British apples, in place of foreign imports.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Michael Jack)

On apple day and at the Marden fruit show, as on other occasions, I have taken part in initiatives to promote British apples in order to assist their greater sale.

Mr. Lester

My hon. Friend will agree that British apples are among the best in the world, particularly the Bramley apple, which comes from Southwell in Nottinghamshire. Will he consider mounting a national apple pie competition, of pies made with Bramley apples, so that those who do not understand how good those apples are and how scrumptious are apple pies made with them can do so?

Mr. Jack

My hon. Friend, who comes from Nottingham, the home of the Bramley apple, is entirely in apple pie order. At the start of the promotion of Bramley apples this year, I took part in an apple pie-making activity and will certainly commend his very excellent idea to those in English apples and pears who do such a marvellous job in promoting our excellent apples.

Mr. Butler

Does my hon. Friend accept that, although it is welcome, the awarding of grants for the grubbing out of redundant orchards has not yet tackled the problem? Will he urge the Commission to put into effect its current proposal to reduce the intervention price of apples? Furthermore, does he agree that French Golden Delicious, which have invaded our shores, are—being French—tasteless, and are neither golden nor delicious? [HON. MEMBERS: "Super!"] Does he agree that English Coxes are the best?

Mr. Jack

I certainly agree with the findings of my hon. Friend's discerning palate, and not with the somewhat disparaging cry of "Super!" from Opposition Members.

My hon. Friend went to the heart of the matter when he mentioned the grubbing grant. We have had 166 applications in this country for 1,600 hectares, but it is crucial that, in the long term, taking out surplus apples has the maximum effect in Italy and France, where apples are grown not for the marketplace but for intervention purposes. In the long term, we should phase out intervention altogether: it distorts the market unnecessarily.

Mr. Enright

In his pursuit of British apples, will the Minister also not discriminate against English rhubarb? Will he set up a rhubarb day involving rhubarb pie, and take to making that dish?

Mr. Jack

The hon. Gentleman may not be aware that I grew up in Yorkshire, and know a good bit of Wakefield rhubarb when I see it. Last year, my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Mr. Soames) received a delegation of rhubarb growers, and he has done his best to promote that excellent vegetable—and, indeed, not to talk rhubarb.

Mr. Graham

The Minister will remember one of the finest slogans ever used—"An apple a day keeps the doctor away". I have been eating apples in order to lose four stone, and I can recommend them as part of a healthy diet. We should do everything possible to help the British apple, because—as the hon. Member for Milton Keynes, North-East (Mr. Butler) said—they are some of the finest apples produced in the world.

Mr. Jack

I am delighted that the English apple industry has contributed to the hon. Gentleman's robust and healthy looks. He is absolutely right: the potential for more fruit consumption, which is mentioned in a recently published report by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy, shows just what can be done. Fruit consumption in this country is too low, but with the hon. Gentleman as an advertisement I am sure that more will be eaten.