§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the scope for increasing the size of the United Kingdom market for organic produce. [9221]
§ Mr. BoswellThe size of the market for organic produce will be determined by consumer demand and industry efforts to promote the market. However, it is already evident that demand is strong and that much is being met by imports. The Government are doing a great deal to encourage farmers and growers to respond. As well as providing aid for conversion to organic production, we also provide free advisory services and fund the United Kingdom register of organic food standards and a substantial organic research and development programme.