HC Deb 28 October 1982 vol 29 c503W
Mr. Skeet

asked 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. Fenner

The 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.