HL Deb 04 April 1990 vol 517 cc1505-6WA
Lord Rodney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have determined the market support prices for potatoes to apply in Great Britain for the 1990–91 crop year beginning 1st July 1990.

The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne

Agriculture Ministers have consulted the farmers' unions about the market support arrangements to apply for the 1990–91 crop year.

Ministers have decided that the guaranteed price should remain £ 53 per tonne. They have authorised the board to decide whether it wishes to support the market by entering into pre-season contracts with producers or by intervening directly, provided that total purchases do not exceed 500, 000 tonnes. The target area for potato plantings by registered producers in Great Britain was fixed last July at 154, 500 hectares.