§ Mr. Johnasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the size of the cereal harvest for 1985; and where in order of precedence this ranks for yearly cereal production.
§ Mr. GummerUnited Kingdom production of cereals in 1985 is currently estimated at 22.3 million tonnes. This would represent the second largest quantity harvested in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Johnasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the anticipated cereal surplus for 1985; and what was the carry over of surplus cereals at 31 December 1985.
§ Mr. GummerThe quantity of cereals from the 1985 harvest that will be surplus to requirements depends on demand in the home and export markets and cannot be quantified at this stage. On 31 December 1985, stocks on farms are estimated at 8.5 million tonnes, from which of course normal commercial requirements for the rest of the crop year will be drawn. Stocks carried over into the 1985–86 crop year are estimated at 1.3 million tonnes in commercial stores and 4.2 million tonnes in intervention stores.