§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he has estimated the effect on sales of home grown potatoes in United Kingdom supermarkets if retailers' views were taken into consideration in assessing the research priorities of his Department;
(2) whether the views of (a) retailers and (b) growers are considered when assessing his Department's research priorities for apples and pears;
(3) whether the views of (a) retailers and (b) growers are taken into consideration when assessing his Department's research priorities for potatoes.
§ Mr. CurryIn setting research priorities, we take full account of the advice of the priorities board for research and development in agriculture and food. In preparing its advice to Agriculture Ministers and the chairman of the Agricultural and Food Research Council, the priorities board draws on the views of retailers, as well as food manufacturers, farmers, growers, academics and others.