HC Deb 19 June 1980 vol 986 cc652-3W
42. Mr. Stanbrook

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the position regarding a European agreement on potatoes.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

So far no agreement has been reached in the Council of Ministers and there have been no substantive discussions since last November.

49. Mr. Geraint Howells

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the state of the potato industry : and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Producers' prices for the 1979 crop have on average been well above the guaranteed price. There was an unexpected fall in prices during May, but the market has now recovered.

The new potato market has been seriously depressed by imports of subsidised potatoes. The Government dealt with this, and we hope that confidence will now return to the market.