§ Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much was paid out of European Community funds for the destruction of fruit and vegetables in the latest available 12 months' period; and how much was paid out on each commodity.
§ Mr. BishopCommunity payments are made not for the destruction of fruit and vegetables but to compensate recognised producer organisations if they withdraw certain produce at predetermined prices, well below normal market levels, and dispose of it in approved ways such as gifts to charities and for processing and animal feed. The Commission estimates expenditure in the marketing year 1973–74 as follows:
£m. (convened at 2.16UA/£) Cauliflowers 0.02 Tomatoes 0.63 Peaches 1.06 Pears 6.24 Apples 9.84 Mandarins 0.46 Oranges * TOTAL 18.25 * Less than 0.01.