§ Mr. Hordernasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the Agricultural and Food Research Council makes no charge for work on sugar beet; and what is the cost of the subsidy given for this purpose.
§ Mr. MacGregorUnder the Food Act 1984 my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales and I are required to draw up a programme of research and education in matters affecting the growing of sugar beet and to provide for its funding. The cost of the programme is met through a levy on the growers of sugar beet and on British Sugar plc. Under these arrangements all work carried out in AFRC institutes and elsewhere is paid for in full. There is no element of subsidy.
The programme for 1985–86 is set out in the Sugar Beet (Research and Education) Order 1985, which was laid on 11 March 1985.