§ Mr. Ronald Atkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what restrictions are placed on the import of potatoes; and how many firms hold licences for their import.
§ Mr. BishopIn line with the United Kingdom's policy of achieving self-sufficiency in main crop potatoes, imports of main crop are normally prohibited. Except in September and October, new potatoes may be imported without quantitative restriction—although in the case of the Eastern Area imports are allowed only between 1st November and 14th May —from countries that are able to meet the requirements of our plant health legislation. These requirements permit imports from some countries at any time and from other countries at specified302W periods. Licensing arrangements do not apply.
§ Mr. Ronald Atkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what acreage of potatoes was planted in 1975; and how this compares with the years 1974, 1973 and 1972.
§ Mr. BishopAt this time of year it is not possible to estimate the 1975 planted acreage with precision, as details are not yet available, but present indications are that this will be slightly less than in 1974. Details for the United Kingdom over the past three seasons are as follows:
1974 … … 532,000 acres 1973 … … 555,000 acres 1972 … … 584,000 acres
§ Mr. Ronald Atkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much prices have risen for the various grades of potatoes in the last six weeks.
§ Mr. BishopThe potatoes guarantee arrangements for the home crop do not come into operation until 1st August, and at this time of year merchants are not required to supply details to the Potato Marketing Board for full calculations of an average price. I understand from the board, however, that producer prices at 7th July were in the range of £175-£210 per ton but that today the main range had fallen to £95-£120 per ton. There is no comparable price range for new potatoes six weeks ago because the new crop was not then being marketed in sufficient quantities to provide meaningful data.
§ Mr. Ronald Atkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the production of potatoes in Great Britain is used by fish and chip fryers; and whether the needs of the trade are considered fully by his Department.
§ Mr. BishopMy Department's estimates of potato requirements take account of the Potato Marketing Board's records of the quantities of potatoes moved through licensed merchants but do not separately distinguish between the final users. I understand, however, that the National Federation of Fish Fryers estimates that 600,000 tons of potatoes are used annually by fish fryers. This represents about 9 per cent. of total 303W requirements. In operating the guarantee arrangements my Department takes full account of the needs of all users, including the fish fryers.
§ Mr. Ronald Atkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated production of potatoes for 1975; how this compares with 1974, 1973 and 1972; and what is the estimated acreage and production for 1976.
§ Mr. BishopIt is too early to estimate production from the 1975 crop; and neither is it possible to predict the situation in 1976. The figures for the past three seasons are as follows:
1974: 6,680,000 tons (provisional) 1973: 6,737,000 tons 1972: 6,424,000 tons
§ Mr. Freudasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his plans to ensure continuity of supply of potatoes to the frying industry.
§ Mr. BishopThe difficulties currently facing the fish fryers result from exceptional weather conditions which have delayed the bulking up of the new crop here and reduced supplies from Cyprus. The Government's continuing objective is that United Kingdom production, supplemented by imports of new potatoes, should be sufficient to meet all demands, including those of the fish fryers. The potato guarantee for main crop and our marketing arrangements are designed to achieve this aim.