§ 9. David Taylor (North-West Leicestershire)What representations she has recently received about the operation of the Horticultural Development Council. [133790]
§ The Minister for the Environment (Mr. Elliot Morley)Representations have been received recently on the requirement for growers to pay a statutory levy to the Horticultural Development Council, on the commissioning of research and development by the council, and the statutory review of the council.
§ David TaylorThe HDC does some excellent work in the top-class research that it commissions for horticulture, but is the Minister happy about the equity and impact of its levy on some specialist growers who receive little or no benefit from its work? Will he see me to discuss the concerns of a large-scale mushroom grower in my constituency, whose levy is more than 10 times higher, relative to turnover, than that of others in its industry sector? Where is the value for money in that?
§ Mr. MorleyI understand the point that my hon. Friend makes. As a general principle, there is value in a statutory levy on industry groups to finance near-market research and development. I understand that the HDC has three strands of funding, including a separate strand of funding for the mushroom sector. Those who grow exotic mushrooms feel that the calculation works against their interests. If memory serves, the levy is 8p a litre on mushroom spawn and the exotic sector requires much more spawn. The HDC is sympathetic to that point and it can be considered in its statutory review, but if my hon. Friend would like to discuss the matter in more detail in relation to his constituency concerns, I would be only too happy to arrange that.
§ Hugh Robertson (Faversham and Mid-Kent)The HDC is, of course, intimately involved in the national fruit show, which has been taking place yesterday and today in my constituency. Fruit farming is something that we should all support, because the orchards are good for the environment, the produce is of high quality and delivered close to the marketplace, it forms part of the Government's five-a-day and fruit for schools programmes, and it is unsubsidised. Given that, will the Minister explain why no Minister has been to visit and support the national fruit show and why one of the organisers said to me yesterday that it is easier to get royalty along than a Minister from this Government?
§ Mr. MorleyI am sure that if a formal invitation were sent to DEFRA, it would be treated seriously alongside all the invitations that Ministers receive. We are very aware of the valuable work that Horticulture Research International has done in the past and that the HDC plans to do in the future. Of course we want to see the British fruit-growing sector supported, and to see it prosper and do well. We will do whatever we can to assist in our role as DEFRA Ministers.