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Written question asked by Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative) on Wednesday, 8 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 February 2006. It was answered by Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour) on Thursday, 16 February 2006 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Potatoes

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many tonnes of potatoes were produced in Shrewsbury constituency in (a) 1989 and (b) 2005.
Answer

We do not collect information specifically on potato production at a constituency level.It is possible to provide information on the area of potatoes grown within a constituency but only from 1992, the earliest year from which it is possible to compile data on this basis. The latest data are for 2004; the 2005 data are not yet available. An estimate of the production can be calculated using the average yield figure for England. Potato area data and estimates of production for Shrewsbury constituency for 1992 and 2004 are:

Potato area (hectares) Potato production (thousand tonnes)
1992 1,678 77
2004 1,255 54

Looking back to 1989, it is possible to provide information on the area of potatoes grown at a county level and calculate an estimate of production based on the average yield figure for England. Potato area data and estimates of production for Shropshire for 1989, 1992 and 2004 are:

Potato area (hectares) Potato production (thousand tonnes)
1989 7,088 269
1992 5,748 264
2004 4,224 182

It should be noted that area data for 1992 are based on main holdings only; data for other years are based on all holdings. Data for 1989 and 1992 are for maincrop potatoes; data for 2004 are for early and maincrop potatoes.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
442 c2280-1W;442 c2280-1W; 51269
Session
2005-06
Subjects
Agriculture Potatoes Vegetables Shrewsbury
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk