§ 32. Mr. FavellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to visit eastern Europe.
§ Mr. GummerI visited Poland between 25 and 28 February 1990, and plan to go to Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria this month.
§ 33. Mr. William PowellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what initiatives he is taking to assist in increasing food production in eastern European countries.
§ Mr. GummerI refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre Forest (Mr. Coombs) and the right hon. Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor) on 8 February (Official Report, columns 1000–01). I have just returned from a visit to Poland, and shall be visiting Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria next week. Opportunities for visits to other eastern countries are being kept under review.
78. Mr. Andy StewartTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of ways in which United Kingdom agriculture can respond to the food needs of eastern Europe.
§ Mr. GummerIt is clear that British experience and expertise in the agriculture and food sectors can be of great benefit in enabling eastern Europe to meet its food needs. The previous Socialist economies were particularly damaging to food production and I am determined that 841W Britain should play its full part in their transformation into the free market. We are already working closely with Poland and Hungary and I hope to visit Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia shortly with a small specialist team. We are also encouraging British business men and farmers to make the most of the opportunities offered by these welcome changes.