§ Mr. St. John-Stevasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements are made for the registration of certain crops; which crops require registration; and whether he is satisfied that the system is working properly in Essex.
§ Mr. StrangI assume the hon. Member is referring to crops which are grown for seed and for which registration forms part of the statutory certification schemes in operation for many species. I am not aware of any particular problem with these schemes either is Essex or elsewhere.
There is a voluntary arrangement in North Essex under which growers register their sowing plans so as to safeguard seed crops of onions and of beet and brassica species. The object is to site these crops at safe distances from sources of harmful cross-pollination, and this is achieved through a zoning committee composed of growers and merchants. My Department is assisting all concerned in efforts to ensure that flowering crops of oilseed rape in the area do not prejudice the success of these local arrangements.