European Community (Fruit and Vegetables)

HC Deb 04 April 1984 vol 57 cc584-5W

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish in the Official Report details of the new European Economic Community regime for fruit and vegetables and the forecast expenditure under this heading in each of the next five years.

Mrs. Fenner

The Amendments to the European Economic Community regime for fresh fruit and vegetables agreed in October 1983 were published in theOfficial Journal of the European Communities No. L325 on 22 November 1983. A copy is available in the Library of the House.

It is not possible to forecast expenditure in future years because it depends largely on the size of Community crops, which are heavily influenced by weather conditions. However the budgetary appropriation for fresh fruit and vegetables in 1984 is some 350 mecus and the Commission estimate that the amendments will add 10.5 mecus in a full year.