§ Mr. Andrew WelshTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has of the possible effects on the raspberry industry in particular, and the soft fruit industry in general, of the ending of minimum import prices; and if he will assist these industries by continuing the minimum import price system until the end of the fruit season.
§ Mr. CurryThere is a place for semi-processed soft fruit from eastern Europe in the United Kingdom market to complement the home-grown product provided that it is marketed in an orderly manner. Minimum import prices MIPs were introduced by the EC Commission in July 1990 at the request of the United Kingdom Government because east European imports were causing market disruption. We have made it clear that our preferred solution is voluntary price agreements and that the EC Commission should seek to conclude these before the MIPs expire on 31 March. If that is not possible, we will seek the extension of the MIP arrangements to cover the beginning of the 1991 soft fruit season. I shall emphasise this at the Council of Ministers next week.