§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the(a) strengths and (b) weaknesses of the United Kingdom horticulture industry; and if he will make a statement. [28540]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 9 February 1998]: British growers have well developed production and marketing skills, and a system of traceability and product assurance, which makes them second to none in the European market place. There are still too many
£ million Fresh fruit (apples, cherries, pears, plums and strawberries) Fresh field and protected vegetables Potatoes Ornamentals Hops Exports and re-exports 20.3 33.3 105.8 36.4 5.0 Imports 423 806.1 316.3 468.3 7.2 Balance of payments -402.7 -772.8 -210.5 -431.9 -2.2 Fuller details can be found in the Basic Horticultural Statistics for the United Kingdom (1986–1996), published by the Department's Statistics Division.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what help his Ministry is providing to the horticulture industry to(a) increase consumption of any of its outputs, (b) improve the industry's marketing and (c) develop new forms of technology beneficial to the industry; what expenditure is available for such programmes for (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99 and (iii) 1999–2000; and what were the expenditure levels on the equivalent assistance in (1) 1994–95, (2) 1995–96 and (3) 1996–97. [28543]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 9 February 1998]: My noble Friend Lord Donoughue recently attended the launch of the Fresh Produce Consortium's Campaign "Give me Five" and strongly endorsed their message that people should eat more fruit and vegetables each day. The Department also encourages and co-ordinates applications for EU funding under Apple Promotion and Flower promotion scheme.
The Department has worked closely with fruit and vegetables producer organisations to ensure that they take full advantage of EU funding for operational programmes. The objectives of the programmes include planning and adjusting production to meet demand, particularly in terms of quality and quantity.
The Department has a horticulture research programme that is directed primarily towards strategic underpinning work to improve the competitiveness and market responsiveness of the sector and the industry's interaction 172W production units in relation to the number of customers for horticultural produce. A stronger role for producer organisations is part of the solution.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what projects to benefit United Kingdom horticulture are currently being funded by his Ministry as part of the Technology Foresight Programme. [28548]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 9 February 1998]: A technology foresight exercise is currently underway covering the hardy nursery stock sector. Reports have already been produced on apples, strawberries and mushrooms.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list by product type details of the balance of payments deficit for United Kingdom horticulture, excluding those products which cannot normally be grown in the United Kingdom because of climatic factors. [28539]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 9 February 1998]: The balance of payments for the main groups of horticultural products in 1996 are as follows:
with the environment. Priority areas are those showing most potential for growth and added value, especially where there is a clear trade gap opportunity. Work covered by the Department's Research and Development programme includes breeding for improved quality; pest and disease resistance; crop production, including improving crop uniformity and scheduling; crop protection, with work covering the epidemiology of pests and diseases as well as biological and integrated pest management; the improvement of storage and shelf life. The Department's funded work provides a strong underpinning base from which the levy-funded bodies, such as the Apple and Pear Research Council and the Horticultural Development Council, pick up and the results and develop them through to industry application.
The Department's expenditure available for horticulture research is:
- (i) 1997–98 = £11,255k
- (ii) 1998–99 = £11,294k (provisional), and
- (iii) 1999–2000 = £11,294k (provisional)
The Department's expenditure on horticulture research is:
- (1) 1994–95 = £11,760k
- (2) 1995–96 = £11,761k
- (3) 1996–97 = £11,833k
In addition to these figures, there are a number of cross-sector projects which will have a bearing on horticulture R&D.
The Department is also lead sponsor of the Horticulture LINK programme. The aim of the programme is to encourage collaborative funding of 173W research by industry and government to enable and accelerate the exploitation of new products, processes and systems in all areas of the horticulture industry.(MAFF HortLINK spend: 1997–98 = £500k, 1998–99 = £870k, 1999–2000 = £950k).
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what policies his Ministry is pursuing to help increase exports of United Kingdom horticultural production. [28547]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 9 February 1998]: I want to see a strong British horticultural sector, taking up the growth in consumption here and producing for the single market rather than exporting occasional surpluses. The strengthening of producer organisations will help to achieve this objective.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish for each of the last five years for which information is available(a) consumption per head in terms of value and weight of fruit, salad and vegetables, and (b) purchases per head of flowers, ornamentals and plants, in (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) the Netherlands, (iii) France, (iv) Germany, (v) Italy, (vi) Sweden and (vii) Belgium. [28545]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 9 February 1998]: Details of consumption of fruit and vegetables per head in terms of weight are as follows. Data on the value of consumption per head are not readily available.
Average annual consumption (kg/head) Vegetable and vegetable products 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 UK 87.21 92.44 94.30 98.40 93.99 Netherlands 76.57 74.64 81.58 81.92 66.06 Germany 77.84 79.74 78.21 86.16 82.04 France 125.12 120.91 118.75 115.34 123.97 Italy 149.50 162.60 150.49 177.75 171.37 Sweden 60.70 67.28 63.54 64.33 59.94 Belgium/Luxembourg 123.20 109.17 117.88 112.14 104.44
Fruit and fruit products (excluding wine) 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 UK 80.88 82.64 80.45 78.76 76.51 Netherlands 155.56 145.05 140.06 177.47 143.53 France 100.71 97.27 90.05 98.19 83.92 Germany 109.86 123.06 121.96 155.31 121.25 Italy 126.04 141.76 142.55 149.23 134.03 Sweden 99.66 104.19 98.99 96.36 101.27 Belgium/Luxembourg 118.15 139.17 103.88 172.68 139.50 Source:
FAO
There is no information available on purchases per head of flowers, ornamentals and plants. A separate figure for salads is not readily available.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the areas of horticultural production in which the United Kingdom has a natural advantage compared to the rest of Europe. [28538]
174W
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 9 February 1998]: British growers have a temperate climate, production skills, a strong research base and a supportive Government.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reforms to the European Union horticulture regime have been introduced since 1 January 1995; and if he will make a statement on his assessment of the impact that these changes have had on the United Kingdom horticulture industry. [28542]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 9 February 1998]: The reform of the EU Regimes for Fresh and Processed Fruit and Vegetables came into effect on 1 January 1997. The objective of reform is to bring about far greater market orientation among EU growers while reducing reliance on intervention. Money saved on intervention is being made available to Producer Organisations (POs) for approved multi-year operational programmes. A total of 65 programmes have been approved in the UK in 1997, with a potential for grant of £10.3 million in 1998.
In addition, the EU Hop Regime was amended in July 1997 and the EU Flower and Plant Promotion Fund was introduced in 1996. Under the hop reform, producers will receive their income aid payments more quickly. The promotional fund is intended to increase the purchase of flowers and plants, and I want British growers to supply up the extra production needed.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his Ministry's main priorities for the horticulture industry; and if he will make a statement. [28546]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 9 February 1998]: The Government wish to see a successful, competitive horticulture industry, together with an increase in the production and consumption of fruit and vegetables, increased production and use of ornamental plants and flowers and an ever stronger relationship between producers, retailers and consumers.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which representative bodies from each part of the horticultural trade he and his Ministers have met with since 2 May 1997. [28541]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 9 February 1998]: I had the opportunity to meet a number of representatives of the industry when I attended the Royal Agricultural Show last July. My noble Friend Lord Donoughue has met the NFU Horticultural Executive, NFU Horticulture advisers, representatives of the Fresh Produce Consortium, the Horticultural Export Bureau, the Horticultural Trades Association, the Royal Horticultural Society and East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research. My hon. Friend the Minister of State met representatives of the National Association of British Market Authorities and the Birmingham Wholesale Fresh Produce Association when he visited Birmingham Wholesale Markets. And my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has met Bedfordshire Growers and will shortly visit a pot plant nursery in South Lincolnshire. My noble Friend Lord Carter met industry organisations when he attended Marden Fruit Show last October. Further visits are planned.