HC Deb 25 April 1988 vol 132 cc41-2W
Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all those persons and organisations outside Her Majesty's Government who have already been consulted on the Barnes report on agricultural research and development; which of these have reported; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. MacGregor

As explained in the reply given to the hon. Member for Falkirk, East (Mr. Ewing) on 3 March, at column674, there have been no formal consultations outside Government. But the following is a comprehensive list of all the organisations contacted or from which views were received. The report itself is under consideration.

  • Agricultural and Food Research Council (HQ and RIs)
  • Agricultural attachés, Bonn, The Hague, Madrid, Paris
  • Apple and Pear Development Council
  • Arable Research Centres Ltd.
  • British Food Manufacturing Industry RA
  • British Institute of Agricultural Consultants
  • British Poultry Federation
  • Building Services Research and Information Association
  • Cabinet Office
  • Cambridge Life Sciences Ltd.
  • Campden Food Preservation RA
  • Dairy Trade Federation
  • Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland
  • Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland
  • Department of Education and Science
  • Department of Trade and Industry
  • Farm Advisory Services Team
  • Flour Milling and Baking RA
  • Food and Drink Federation
  • Home Grown Cereals Authority
  • Horticultural Development Council
  • Huntingdon Research Centre
  • ICI (Plant Protection)
  • Institute of Arable Crop Consultants
  • Institute of Professional Civil Servants
  • Marks and Spencer plc
  • Meat and Livestock Commission
  • Milk Marketing Board for England and Wales
  • Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  • National Farmers' Union
  • National Pig Breeders' Association
  • Potato Marketing Board
  • Potato Processors' Association
  • Priorities Board
  • Processors and Growers Research Organisation
  • RHM Ltd.
  • Sainsburys plc
  • Scottish Agricultural Colleges
  • Scottish Agricultural Research Institutes
  • Scottish National Farmers' Union
  • Sea Fish Industry Authority
  • South Eastern Regional Panel Chairman and farmer members
  • Sugar Beet Research and Education Committee
  • Tate and Lyle
  • Unilever Ltd.
  • United Kingdom Agricultural Supply Trade Association
  • Welsh Office Agriculture Department

Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the Government to reach their conclusion on the Barnes report on agricultural research and development; what factors are influencing the timing of a decision; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. MacGregor

The report has only just been completed and is now under consideration. It is too early to say when conclusions might be reached.