Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many acres of apple orchards were grubbed up in each of the past three years; what is the present level of application for the EU's grubbing-up grant; and if he will make a statement on the prospects for the Ulster apple industry.
§ Mr. AncramNo apple orchards were grubbed up in Northern Ireland in the last three years.
The current apple orchard grubbing-up scheme has attracted three applicants with a total entry of 45.15 acres, 475W or 18.28 hectares. I am hopeful that the industry will continue to make a valuable contribution to the Northern Ireland horticultural sector and to the food processing industry.