HC Deb 11 March 1970 vol 797 cc1332-3
26. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an estimate of the length of hedges removed by farmers in 1969; and whether he will have talks with the National Farmers Union about this matter.

Mr. Mackie

Removal of hedgerows rarely leads directly to soil erosion but—

Mr. Johnson

I have withdrawn Question No. 25. I have asked Question No. 26.

Mr. Mackie

The number of people in the House of Commons who are anxious to help is amazing. I will start again.

Removal of hedgerows rarely leads directly to soil erosion but in any case where such a result is likely our officers would take an opportunity open to them of advising against it. The decision, of course, rests with the farmer himself. The results of our investigation of the general problem of erosion in East Anglia and elsewhere have been brought to the attention of farmers through the Ministry's publications and other suitable ways.

Mr. Johnson

As this is World Conservation Year, and as the Minister sits in the Cabinet specially to safeguard the environment, does he accept that fewer hedges mean fewer birds and upsetting the balance of ecology in the environment? What is he doing about that with his farmer colleagues?

Mr. Mackie

My hon. Friend must know that all the hedges in our countryside have been man-made in the last 200 or 300 years. I do not know what kind of birds he is worried about; I assume that they are not game birds. I do not think that there is anything to be unduly worried about. If one flies over the country, one sees that there are a lot of hedges in England.

Sir D. Renton

Surely the hon. Gentleman is aware that hedges are the best habitat for a large range of British wild birds. When hedges have to be taken away in the interests of more efficient farming, should not the farmer be encouraged to plant spinneys as an alternative habitat for such birds?

Mr. Mackie

I said in my original answer that we give advice to farmers on this subject. If they want to make a shelter belt, replace and straighten up hedges or fence fields in general, they can get a grant.