European Community (Fruit, Vegetable and Fish Destruction)

HC Deb 12 January 1981 vol 996 cc434-5W

Mr. Mark Hughes

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantities of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and fresh fish have been destroyed by the European Community, as a consequence of EEC rules in each year since 1973.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

[pursuant to his reply, 18 December 1980]: Information for the European Community is not available. For the United Kingdom the quantities of fresh produce destroyed in each year since 1973 are as follows:

	Tonnes
Commodity	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980
Cauliflowers	—	—	236	6,020	—	716
Apples	—	49	—	357	6,601	5,999
Pears	—	23	—	—	2,206	694
Tomatoes	—	—	—	—	—	4
Fish	168	14	3	3	375	242
Notes
1. No fresh produce was destroyed in the United Kingdom during the calendar years 1973 and 1974.
2. The 1980 figures are those reported to the end of November for horticultural produce and to the end of October for fish.