§ 8. Hugh Robertson (Faversham and Mid-Kent)If she will make a statement on Government policy on horticulture. [86771]
§ The Minister for the Environment (Mr. Michael Meacher)The Government welcome the contribution of horticulture to the UK economy, which is worth some £2 billion at the farm gate and supports substantial downstream activity in packhouses, processing and the garden industry. We will continue to work with the industry through the sustainable farming and food 998 strategy published on 12 December, by funding research and development and through the England rural development programme.
§ Hugh RobertsonThe Minister will know—not least because DEFRA gave me the figures—that a staggering 10.8 per cent. of the national orchard has been lost in the last three years. That is before the effects of this year's Agricultural Wages Board settlement are taken into account. What specific help is the Minister giving fruit farmers now; and, equally important, what is his long-term vision of the future of horticulture?
§ Mr. MeacherI have already answered the last part of that question. We intend, through the newly announced farming and food strategy, to give substantial help to the horticulture sector, which, as I said, is worth about £2 billion.
The hon. Gentleman knows very well that funding to promote specific United Kingdom products is not permitted by European Union state aid rules. The industry, however, receives substantial help to increase competitiveness through research, which I believe is currently worth about £10 million a year. That has helped the development of, for instance, new apple varieties such as Meridian and to increase apple storage, which is a problem in northern Europe. I believe that 73 producer organisations are working in this country under the EU fruit and vegetable regime.
We are keen to work with the industry, as long as that is compatible with EU rules, to promote what we regard as a very important and viable industry.