HC Deb 12 February 1976 vol 905 cc298-9W
Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made to date towards achieving fair competition, particularly with regard to the cost of fuel to glasshouse growers throughout the EEC, including the United Kingdom.

Mr. Strang

The need to avoid measures which distort or threaten to distort competition is a basic principle within the EEC. In regard to aid towards growers' fuel oil costs, the Commission has set guidelines which member States are required to observe. These include a requirement that if a fuel oil subsidy is paid, the price of natural gas must be brought up to the price of fuel oil. The cost of fuel is only one of a number of factors affecting competition between glasshouse growers and there are others in which United Kingdom growers have an advantage.

Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made to date towards reaching a decision on EEC proposals to pay grants to glasshouse growers to reduce their acreages; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Strang

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 31st July 1975 to the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) and to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, North (Mrs. Miller). The EEC Commission has made no further proposal on this subject.

UNITED KINGDOM ESTIMATED CROPPED AREA OF ORCHARD FRUIT GROWN COMMERCIALLY
('000 acres)
1955–56 1965–66 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76
Total apples (including cider) … 175.0 129.0 117.0 116.0 115.0 114.0 110.0
Total pears (including perry) … 20.5 18.4 15.8 15.5 15.3 15.1 14.9
Plums* … 36.8 21.0 16.0 15.9 15.7 15.5 15.0
Cherries … 18.0 10.5 7.2 6.9 6.7 6.5 6.1
Other and mixed orchards … 2.6 3.2 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.7
* Includes damsons and gages.