HC Deb 19 October 1998 vol 317 cc1054-5W
Mr. Öpik

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tonnes of British cereal seed were used in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [52773]

Mr. Rooker

The Ministry does not collect statistics on the tonnage of cereal seed used in the United Kingdom but the majority used for sowing is produced in this country.

Mr. Öpik

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of imports to the United Kingdom of cereal seed comes from the USA; and if he will make a statement. [52771]

Mr. Rooker

In 1997, only 0.027 per cent. of cereal seed imported into the United Kingdom came from the USA. This figure, which is calculated on the basis of volume, includes imports of common wheat, meslin, barley, maize and sorghum seeds. The import of cereal seed into the United Kingdom from the USA is an extremely small proportion of total imports of cereal seed and has not fluctuated significantly in recent years.

Mr. Öpik

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the use of British cereal seed in the United Kingdom. [52772]

Mr. Rooker

The use of British or imported cereal seed is a matter for individual growers. I welcome the fact that the majority of cereal seed for sowing used in the United Kingdom is produced in this country.