Written question asked by Peter Ainsworth (Conservative) on Wednesday, 6 March 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 March 2002. It was answered by Baroness Beckett (Labour) on Monday, 25 March 2002 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of (a) organic and (b) non-organic (i) dairy products, (ii) meat, (iii) fruit, (iv) vegetables, (v) cereals and (vi) eggs sold in the UK in the last 12 months were imported; what assessment she has made of the proportion of these products that could be grown in the UK; and if she will make a statement. - Inc table. (Holding answer 11 March 2002).

Answer: Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of (a) organic and (b) non-organic (i) dairy products, (ii) meat, (iii) fruit, (iv) vegetables, (v) cereals and (vi) eggs sold in the UK in the last 12 months were imported; what assessment she has made of the proportion of these products that could be grown in the UK; and if she will make a statement. [42168] Margaret Beckett: [holding answer 11 March 2002]: Official figures are not available on the proportion of organic sales that are imported. The following table provides estimates produced by the Soil Association in their Organic Food and Farming Report 2001. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Percentage of organic sales imported Dairy products 35 Meat 45 Fruit and vegetables 85 Cereals (and baked products) 80 Eggs 10 _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Secondary information