HC Deb 20 July 1987 vol 120 cc61-2W
Mr. Boateng

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he is satisfied with the arrangements for the distribution of European Economic Community food supplies;

(2) whether he has received any representations from (a) voluntary organisations and (h) local authorities about the arrangements for the distribution of European Economic Community food surpluses;

(3) whether he has any plans to change the arrangements for the distribution of European Economic Community food surpluses.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Short-term arrangements for the distribution of certain free foods to the most needy ended on 31 March. I have received a number of comments on the subject from voluntary organisations, local authorities and others, and I will bear these in mind should the Commission make a proposal for similar arrangements in future. There is currently no such proposal.

Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the total value of agricultural production (a) for the European Economic Community and (h) for each European Economic Community country, at the latest date for which information is available.

Mr. MacGregor

The information is show in the table:

Total final agricultural production: 1985 (provisional)
1Million ecu
Belgium 5,302
Denmark 6,659
Germany 26,904
Greece 7,842
France 41,062
Ireland 3,809
Italy 33,024
Luxembourg 163
Netherlands 13,636
United Kingdom 19,429
Total EC10 157,829
Spain 20,215
Portugal 2n/a

Source: Eurostat.

1 At 1985 prices and exchange rates.

2 The latest figure available for Portugal relates to 1981 when recorded final agricultural output was some 2,188 million ecu.