HC Deb 27 July 1993 vol 229 cc884-5W
Mr. Bayley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what was the price in pound per tonne paid to United Kingdom farmers under the common agricultural policy for sugar beet in each month since August 1992;

(2) what was the average price in pound per tonne paid to United Kingdom farmers under the common agricultural policy for sugar beet produced in the 1991–92 sugar beet season and the 1992–93 season.

Mr. Jack

Each year the Council of Ministers sets minimum prices for sugar beet grown to meet the EC's sugar quotas. The actual price per tonne of sugar beet is negotiated between the NFU and British Sugar plc, the United Kingdom's sole beet processor, for the whole crop for that season. An interim price is agreed early in the season and then finalised after the crop is harvested. The final price for contracted sugar beet for 1991–92 harvest was £33.22 and the provisional price for the 1992–93 harvest is £37.32 per tonne.

Mr. Bayley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current(a) common agricultural policy A, B and C quota for sugar production, (b) domestic consumption of sugar and (c) surplus of production over consumption of sugar in each EC member state.

Mr. Jack

The information requested is set out in the table:

'000 tonnes white sugar equivalent
Member State Quota Non-quota 'C' sugar production 1991–924 Total production 1991–921 1991–92 consumption Difference between total production and consumption
'A' quota 'B' quota
Portugal3 64 6 — 301 324 —23
Spain 960 40 — 864 1,093 -229
EC 11,188 2,488 1,568 16,208 11,956 4,242

Notes:

1 This includes non-quota 'C' sugar and for United Kingdom, France and Portugal includes white sugar produced from raw cane sugar.

2 Figures for France include Overseas Departments.

3 Figures for Portugal include Azores.

4 'C' sugar is grown outside quota. It does not receive price support and must be exported without subsidy, except for a proportion which may be carried forward to count against the following year's quota.

5 Figures may not add to corresponding totals because of rounding.