§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the potential of crops or parts of crops for use in industries such as paper making, paint, plastics and phamaceuticals; and what investment his Department is making to enable the full potential to be realised.
§ Mr. MacGregorMy Department has considered the potential of crops for use in industry in reports issued on the disposal and utilisation of straw (1984) and on agraforestry (1986). A review of alternative crops and livestock enterprises for United Kingdom agriculture was carried out by the centre of agricultural strategy, under MAFF sponsorship in 1985. A further review, by the MAFF novel crops and livestock enterprises review group, is due to be released this year. Where appropriate, these reviews include recommendations on industrial potential.
My Department is supporting work on the development of dual purpose flax for fibre and for oil production, and is involved in the European Community's ECLAIR programme on agricultural production for industrial use.
It should also be noted that under the common agricultural policy arrangements already exist to encourage the industrial use of starch derived from cereals and potatoes and of sugar. Starch used in the manufacture of specified industrial products, including paper, plastics and pharmaceuticals, and certain sugar products used in the chemical industry, are eligible for a production aid.