To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those (a) schemes and (b) initiatives which have been introduced by the public and the private sector during the last five years that have been aimed at improving quality standards in the horticulture and fruit industry.[66496]
The reformed fruit and vegetable regime emphasises the importance of maintaining and improving quality. Actions to achieve that objective may attract financial assistance within agreed operational programmes. We expect that such programmes will have received in total some £6.5m in the UK in respect of 1998.
In addition, the Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate continues to assist the sector to achieve the standard required by EU legislation.
I am not responsible for initiatives in the private sector, but I would commend the Assured Produce Scheme which has been set up by the National Farmers Union and which has the strong support of the multiple retailers.