§ 34. Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the 301W potato acreage necessary to fulfil domestic demand.
§ Mr. BishopEach summer a "target acreage" is determined for the United Kingdom potato crop for the following season. The target is calculated to provide sufficient potatoes assuming normal yields, to meet requirements and allow for a modest surplus. The United Kingdom target for the 1975 crop was 565,000 acres; the 1976 crop target has been determined at 546,000 acres. This takes into account the trend towards increasing yields.
§ 39. Mr. Draysonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures have been taken to assure supplies of potatoes at reasonable prices to the consumer.
§ Mr. BishopActing on forecasts of a significant shortfall in production from the home crop this season, due largely to adverse weather conditions, the Government lifted the normal ban on imports of potatoes on 1st September 1975 and imposed a ban of exports of ware potatoes with effect from 17th October 1975. The Potato Marketing Board has relaxed the riddle sizes which normally apply. These measures alleviate but cannot make good the shortfall in supplies available for consumption. Prices are, therefore, likely to remain high.