§ Mr. Spearingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food during which months it is usual for him to be aware of the likely yield of the United Kingdom sugar beet crop; what effect on yield he expects from the current drought; and what steps he is taking to secure alternative supplies.
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§ Mr. BishopThe first root samples are taken by the British Sugar Corporation in August, when very tentative forecasts can be made of the crop yield.
It is not realistic to attempt to quantify what effect, if any, the recent dry weather in some beet growing districts might have had on yield. Sowing this year was completed early, and despite the dry weather the prospects at present are for an average or above average crop. The Community as a whole is expected to be in surplus in 1976–77.