asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will give details of the extent of vegetable imports in 1985; the efforts which are being made to counteract these imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Vegetable Imports.
166.
Imports of fresh vegetables in 1985 were:
|
Tonnes |
£million |
|
|
Tomatoes |
12,200 |
9.8 |
|
Onions |
17,400 |
2.8 |
|
Carrots |
6,400 |
2.2 |
|
Cauliflowers |
2,200 |
0.8 |
|
Others |
8,800 |
5.1 |
|
Total |
47,000 |
20.7 |
Allowing for climatic and trading conditions it is considered that about half of the imports could be replaced by home production.
My Department operates a number of schemes to improve the production and marketing of vegetables. These include aid under the farm improvement programme, grants for conversion of glasshouse heating systems from oil to solid fuel, aid for the formation and operation of producer groups, and aid for market co-ordination in the horticultural industry. Initiatives have also been taken by commercial interests to improve production and marketing. ACOT has drawn up a new advisory programme for horticulture, including the appointment of specialised enterprise advisers with particular emphasis on the possibilities for import substitution.