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Written question asked by Chris Huhne (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 8 December 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 12 December 2006. It was answered by Barry Gardiner (Labour) on Monday, 8 January 2007 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Christmas Trees

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the number of Christmas trees purchased in England that are (a) UK grown and (b) imported in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.
Answer

The following table provides details of Christmas trees sold in the UK which are imported and UK grown for each year from 1997 to 2005.

Number of Christmas trees sold in the UK which are imported and UK grown
Million
Imports UK grown Total sold
1997 0.4 5.0 5.4
1998 0.4 5.3 5.7
1999 0.4 6.0 6.4
2000 0.3 6.6 6.9
2001 0.5 6.2 6.7
2002 0.4 6.5 6.9
2003 0.6 7.5 8.1
2004 0.6 8.0 8.6
2005 0.5 8.0 8.5
Note:
Data prepared by Trade statistics, Agricultural Statistics and Analysis Division, DEFRA
Sources:
Imports—H M Revenue and Customs
UK grown—British Christmas Tree Growers Association

UK grown sales are compiled by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association and are based on the best available information and intelligence sourced from the industry. Imports of Christmas trees are as recorded in the Official Overseas Trade Statistics.The British Christmas Tree Growers Association forecast sales for 2006 of 7.6 million UK grown trees. The majority of imports occur in the latter part of the year, and consequently statistics on imports for 2006 are not yet available.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
108939; 455 c269-70W;455 c267-8W
Session
2006-07
Subjects
Christmas trees
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk0701107000095