Bananas (Hansard, 10 June 1993)

§ 19. Mr. Oppenheim
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how she is monitoring the price of bananas.

§ Mrs. Shephard
Data on the price of bananas at all stages in the marketing chain from the point of import into the United Kingdom to final retail sale are collected on a regular basis and allow comparison with prices in other countries.

§ Mr. John Marshall
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations she has received about the proposed EC banana regime.

§ Mrs. Shephard
We have received a wide range of representations from interested parties at all stages in the marketing of bananas.
These have included representatives of producer interests and companies involved at all stages in the marketing of bananas in the United Kingdom.

§ 24. Sir Donald Thompson
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions are taking place on the criteria to be used for measuring quality within the new EC banana regime; and if she will make a statement.

§ Mrs. Shephard
Council regulation 404/93 on the common organisation of the European banana market provides for the development of quality and marketing standards for bananas marketed in the Community.
Details of these standards and how they will be applied will be decided by the Commission in consultation with member states.
No discussion of quality standards has yet taken place.