§ Mr. Staintonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much of the 1977 United Kingdom potato crop he estimates will be marketed in the period January to April 1978 when there is no control of imports from the EEC; and what steps he is considering for the eventuality that potato prices could fall below the review price leaving the Government with up to 1 million tonnes on farms to be supported.
§ Mr. BishopNormally one-third of the total marking takes place between January and April. No firm estimate can yet be made for the 1977 main crop which is still growing, but, as my right hon. Friend said on 6th May in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. Johnson), the Government will ensure that the price guarantee will be fulfilled for the 1977 crop as a whole.
§ Mr. Staintonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the margin of over-production in tonnes built into the planned acreage of potato planting for the coming season; and what are his estimates of the output attributable to the speculative growers.
§ Mr. BishopThe target area determined last summer for the 1977–78 489W crop was based on estimates of requirements for human consumption, seed for planting, etc., and included the customary contingency allowance of 300,000 tonnes to guard against the risk of shortfall. I do not understand the reference to speculative growers; all producers who plant 0.4 hectare or more have to register with the Potato Marketing Board, which issues area quotas. Growers who choose to exceed their quota have to pay an excess area levy to the Board.