§ Mr. Galeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tons of new potatoes were imported between 1 June and 1 July for the years 1980–81, 981–82, 1982–83 and 1983–84; and what percentage of the total United Kingdom markets between these dates these figures represent.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe information requested is as follows:
Imports of New Potatoes (Tonnes) Imports as percentage of total United Kingdom market in potatoes in the same period Per cent. June 1981 97,000 24.7 June 1982 109,000 28.8 June 1983 117,000 22.7 June 1984 83,000 22.3
§ Mr. Galeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tons of processed new potatoes were imported in the years 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83 and 1983–84.
§ Mr. MacGregorSeparate figures are not available for imports of processed new potatoes.
§ Mr. Galeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total consumption of processed potatoes in the United Kingdom in the years 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83 and 1983–84.
§ Mr. MacGregorTotal consumption, both inside and outside the home, of processed potatoes in the United Kingdom in the years stated was as follows:
Tonnes (raw equivalent) 1980–81 1,236,000 1981–82 1,371,000 1982–83 1,558,000 1983–84 1,613,000
§ Mr. Galeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total volume of imports of processed potatoes for the years 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83 and 1983–84.
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§ Mr. MacGregorThe total volume of United Kingdom imports of processed potatoes in the years state was as follows:
Tonnes (raw equivalent) 1980–81 149,000 1981–82 254,000 1982–83 345,000 1983–84 411,000
§ Mr. Galeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what steps he has taken and proposes to take to control the quality of imported new potatoes;
(2) what steps he has taken and proposes to take to control the quality of imported maincrop potatoes.
§ Mr. MacGregorFollowing a comprehensive examination of the feasibility of extending quality controls to imported potatoes I have concluded that it would prove very difficult to take action.
Our approach would have to be piecemeal as there is no single piece of legislation which we could apply to cover imports of all potatoes. Moreover, the introduction of legislative measures would almost certainly carry with it the threat of Community legal challenge. To avoid challenge we should have to proceed on the basis of the lowest standard obtaining in other member states of the Community which would not necessarily help our growers.
Discussions with the Potato Marketing Board and the farmers' unions are continuing.
§ Mr. Galeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what were the quota acreages of first early potatoes approved by the Potato Marketing Board for 1983–84 and 1984–85;
(2) what is the quota acreage of first early potatoes approved for planting by the Potato Marketing Board for 1984–85.
§ Mr. MacGregorThis is a matter for the Potato Marketing Board.
§ Mr. Galeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the anticipated yield, in tons of first early potatoes resulting from the increase in approved quota acreage for 1984–85.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe allocation of quotas is a matter for the Potato Marketing Board. The special arrangements for the allocation of additional grants of quota to assist growers of first early potatoes will not enter into effect until the 1985 crop season.
§ Mr. Galeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total domestic production of processed potatoes for the years 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, and 1983–84.
§ Mr. MacGregorTotal domestic production of processed potatoes in the years stated was as follows:
tonnes (raw equivalent) 1980–81 1,125,000 1981–82 1,158,000 1982–83 1,252,000 1983–84 1,252,000