BRITISH TOMATO GROWERS

Early day motion 563, tabled 20 April 1999 by Jackie Lawrence (Labour). Signed by 53 members.

That this House recognises the valuable contribution the British tomato industry makes to the British economy by employing over 3,500 people UK-wide; congratulates the British Tomato Growers Association for its efforts to promote British tomatoes in Britain and around the world by bringing together regional growers into one organisation and providing them with essential scientific data and valuable market research information; lauds British tomato growers for consistently improving quality, flavour and shelf-life through the utilisation of traditional growing methods and without genetically modifying the tomatoes; thanks the growers for protecting the health of consumers by using an armoury of natural predators to control pests in lieu of using potentially dangerous pesticides; applauds the British tomato industry for ensuring that fresh tomatoes arrive on store shelves within three days of being picked; urges British consumers to look for the British logo on tomato packs and boxes to ensure that they are buying the freshest and most natural tomatoes available; and commends the British tomato growers for producing the best tomatoes in the world.

Signatures by party: Labour 44, Labour/Co-operative 3, Liberal Democrat 3, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1, Unknown 1.