§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what agricultural research resources are currently being devoted to(a) organic farming and (b) bio-dynamic farming techniques.
§ Mr. Ryder[holding answer 16 May 1989]: This year my Department is spending £198,000 on research directly related to organic farming. Other research funded by my Department is also relevant to organic and so-called bio-dynamic farming techniques because it is directed at reducing the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides or improving the use of organic wastes from animals and crops. Such work includes the integrated control of cereals pests using insect predators, parasitic fungi and behaviour-controlling chemicals and will cost £892,000 this year.