§ Mr. BeardTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the producers' costs of(a) fruit, (b) vegetables, (c) wheat and (d)M rice when grown (i) by modern agricultural methods and (ii) organically. [83890]
§ Mr. MorleyDirect comparisons are difficult because of natural variations in yield between crops. However, general information on costs under the two different systems is contained respectively in the Farm Management Pocket Book 1999, published by Wye 273W College, for costs of conventional production, and the Organic Farm Management Handbook, published by University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and Elm Farm Research Centre for organic production costs. Copies of these publications are available from the organisations concerned.