Written question asked by Teddy Taylor (Conservative) on Monday, 1 June 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 June 1998. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Monday, 8 June 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the total sum spent by the EU on the destruction of food, fruit and vegetables in the most recent annual period for which figures are available. - Figs given.

Answer: Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total sum spent by the EU on the destruction of food, fruit and vegetables in the most recent annual period for which figures are available. [44326] Mr. Rooker: The total sum spent on withdrawals of fruit and vegetables from the market in 1997 was 293 mecu (£213m at an average 1997 exchange rate of £1 = 1.3758 ecu). Statistics on the destination of produce withdrawn in 1997 are not available, but an average 62 per cent. of withdrawn fruit and vegetables was destroyed between the 1989/90 and 1993/94 marketing years. In addition, £1.5m was spent on the disposal of 6,000 tonnes of intervention beef in 1997. This beef was purchased and stored before the restrictions on beef from animals over thirty months old were introduced in March 1996.

Secondary information