§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has of the UK production of turkeys in the last five years. [84109]
§ Mr. MorleyUK turkey meat production over the last five years is as follows.456W
Tonnes 1997 293,000 1998 294,000 1999 267,000 2000 255,000 2001 254,000
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with turkey producers trade associations about the likely UK turkey production for the next 12 months. [84110]
§ Mr. MorleyI have had no discussions with turkey producers on this issue.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which recent EU directives affect domestic turkey production. [84111]
§ Mr. MorleyThe principal regulation covering EU turkey production is Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2777/75 (as amended) which establishes the common organisation of the poultry meat market. Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1906/90 and Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 1538/91 (both as amended) implement harmonised standards for trade and quality.
Turkey producers also have to meet the requirements of relevant horizontal legislation on a number of other issues including welfare, slaughter and feed.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement about the availability of free-range, domestic and organically produced turkeys for Christmas 2002. [84112]
§ Mr. MorleyI expect there to be adequate supplies of turkey to meet consumer demand. The Christmas market is important to the turkey industry and accounts for nearly 40 per cent. of the 36 million turkeys produced each year. Most of the turkeys in the UK are reared indoors. Around 1.5 million turkeys are reared for Christmas as traditional farm fresh. Only 1 per cent. of the UK's annual turkey production is either free-range or organically produced.