HC Deb 21 December 1967 vol 756 cc509-10W
55. Mr. Kimball

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will postpone the issue of licences for traders to import new potatoes from Majorca till home demand for homegrown potatoes rises;

(2) what grounds he has for allowing the import of new potatoes from Majorca in view of the fact that there is a surplus of home-grown potatoes.

Mr. Hoy:

Imports of main-crop potatoes are not permitted unless the home-crop is insufficient to satisfy demand at reaonable prices. There are no restrictions, other than those necessitated by plant health considerations, on the importation of new potatoes. Our scientific advisers are satisfied that there is no plant health risk in allowing the importation of new potatoes from Majorca at this time of the year, subject to compliance with certain specific requirements.