§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the extent to which a substantial increase in acreage for growing sugar beet endangers adequate supplies of potatoes, allowing for seasonal factors and adverse weather; and what discussions are taking place on this matter between the NFU, sugar refiners, and the Potato Marketing Board.
§ Mr. BishopIndividual producers are influenced by many factors when deciding whether to plant potatoes or other crops. Accurate information on the acreage of potatoes planted in 1975 is not yet available, but preliminary indications do not suggest that the sugar beet acreage has diverted plantings away from potatoes. The planted acreages of potatoes, sugar beet and other crops are kept under review by the Government in the light of the annual review discussions with producer interests and consultations with other interests concerned.