HC Deb 14 November 1973 vol 864 c180W
Mr. Moate

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what amounts of apples and pears in the EEC were purchased through intervention arrangements; what amounts were destroyed in the years 1971, 1972 and 1973; and how these figures compare with the total United Kingdom crop in the same years.

Mr. Godber

The Commission's latest published report on agriculture for 1972 gives details of FEOGA compensated withdrawals in the Community up to 1971–72 only. The provisional figures for 1971–72 are:

  • Apples: 103,345 tonnes
  • Pears: 378,270 tonnes
The published figures do not show the disposal of these quantities. These figures compare with United Kingdom gross production ('000 tons) as follows:

Mrs. Fenner

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave on 16th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Canterbury (Mr. Crouch) and to the note placed on that date in the Library of the House. No payments have yet been made but three applications have been approved.—[Vol. 852, c.463–6.]