§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the horticultural products imported into the United Kingdom from Spain and the tonnage and value on an annual basis; and whether the United Kingdom farmers are in any way protected from the effects of low-cost supplies.
§ Mrs. FennerThe information on the main horticultural produce imported from Spain—including the Canary Isles—in 1981 is as follows:
Quantity(tonnes) Value(£'000) Aubergines 1,189 672 Carrots and turnips 176 40 Cauliflowers 1,113 1,223 Celery 10,366 3,114 Courgettes, marrows and pumpkins 573 234 Cucumbers and gherkins 18,047 7,806 Green beans 571 396 Lettuce 1,109 695 Onions 104,190 13,144 Potatoes (new) 34,976 5,788 Sweet peppers 7,878 4,452 Tomatoes 123,559 54,074 Apples 7,745 1,455 Cherries 26 13 Grapefruit 79 18 Lemons 12,380 3,337 Melons 54,002 14,357 Oranges 54,318 10,643 Orange hybrids 78,765 15,650 Peaches 1,708 1,268 Pears 1,351 307 Plums 7,094 3.183 Strawberries 2,406 2.322 Table grapes 26,587 9,025 Cut flowers 206 424 Source:Her Majesty's Customs and Excise (provisional figures)
United Kingdom growers are protected from the effects of low-cost supplies by the common customs tariff, which varies according to season from just under 6 per cent. on tomatoes to 24 per cent. on cut flowers. In addition, our growers are protected in their main marketing season by a reference, or minimum import, price system which applies to apples, aubergines, cherries, courgettes, cucumbers, pears, plums and tomatoes.