HC Deb 08 November 1928 vol 222 cc238-9W
Mr. BUXTON

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make a statement respecting the progress made in giving effect to the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act; and if he can state what classes of produce have been given official grades.

Mr. GUINNESS

Since the passing of the Act, regulations have been issued providing for the appointment of a National Mark Committee, and prescribing and defining grades and grade designation marks for home-grown apples and pears. The scheme for applying the National Mark to apples and pears came into operation on 1st September. Forty-two packers have been accredited for apples and eight for pears and further applications are in hand; about 150,000 National Mark labels have already been issued to accredited packers. Draft regulations have been published prescribing and defining grades and grade designation marks for hen and duck eggs, and dealing with the method of marking preserved eggs and the method of registration of cold stores and chemical stores. The National Mark scheme for home-produced eggs will, I hope, come into operation on 1st February next. To date, 65 applications for registration as packing-centres under the egg scheme have been received and many more are known to be pending. Grades for ware potatoes have been agreed to by the various sections of the industry and I hope to be in a position to make regulations dealing with this commodity at an early date. A scheme for applying the National Mark to ware potatoes is now before the industry and, if adopted, an effort will be made to bring it into operation on 1st January, 1929. Discussions have taken place between Officers of my Department and the National Farmers' Union regarding grades for tomatoes and cucumbers and there is every pros- pect of a scheme maturing for applying the Act to these and other commodities next season. Other schemes are under consideration. With the co-operation of the National Farmers' Union and other interests concerned, the benefits of the Act will be extended as rapidly as circumstances permit.