§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there is any evidence of a significant increase in the imports of potatoes during the past six months.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithOfficial Customs and Excise figures show that in the six months ended 31 March 1980, the latest date for which figures are available, imports of maincrop potatoes totalled about 36,600 tonnes compared with about 38,900 tonnes imported during the six months ended 30 September 1979. In the previous year ended March 1979 there were no imports of maincrop potatoes but this was before our ban on such imports was ruled illegal and lifted. The United Kingdom has been a traditional importer of new potatoes and so far quantities imported this year are not significantly different from those in previous years.
§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any evidence that farmers are having difficulty in disposing of the 1979–80 potato crop.
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§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThere has been a fall in prices received by potato producers in the last few weeks. In order to restore producers' confidence the Potato Marketing Board therefore introduced a support buying programme on 21 May 1980. The Board, however, still estimates that all remaining sound potatoes from the 1979 crop will probably be required before the end of the season, and it is therefore its intention that any potatoes withdrawn from the market under the buying programme should in due course be released back on to the market provided prices strengthen.