§ 17. Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to require chemical additives to be used in order to minimise the stench arising from the disposal of waste products from intensive poultry units; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MackieWe have no power to make such a requirement; but the National Agricultural Advisory Service is always ready to advise farmers on the most appropriate husbandry practices to adopt to minimise smells.
§ Mr. BiffenWhat proposals has the hon. Gentleman for making more widely known and available this code of practices which has been suggested by the National Agricultural Advisory Service? Is he himself satisfied that those proposals can have a material effect upon the stench?
§ Mr. MackieAs the hon. Gentleman probably knows, a lot of research is being done on this subject. There are certain scents, if I may put it that way, that one can add, and processes of aeration of the stuff, and many other methods. The farmer knows that he can go to the N.A.A.S. and be advised on what is most suitable for his case. For myself, working on the farm, I sometimes thing that complaints of these smells are exaggerated; but I know that there is another side to the story.