HC Deb 14 December 1978 vol 960 cc891-3
6. Mr. Knox

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to expand food production from marginal land.

Mr. Strang

My right hon. Friend the Minister and his agricultural colleagues are still studying the marginal land question.

Mr. Knox

Is the Minister aware that there are no specific aids to the 1½ million acres of marginal land in England and Wales? Does he not think that the European less favoured areas directive should apply to that land?

Mr. Strang

The hon. Gentleman is aware that a significant area of agricultural land receives substantial grants and headage payments, namely the hill areas, under the less favoured areas directive. He is proposing a substantial additional development which would be to designate a large area of marginal land where additional grants and some headage payments might be made. The Government are giving consideration to that and related proposals.

Mr. Geraint Howells

Has the Minister any plans this year to increase the hill compensatory allowance for sheep and beef cattle for those farming in the upland areas?

Mr. Strang

I think that the hon. Gentleman knows that we are actively considering and discussing these matters with the farming unions.

Mr. Madden

Will my hon. Friend acknowledge that to many farmers the continued production of farm-bottled or green-topped milk is vital, especially in areas such as West Yorkshire and Wales? What plans has he for the continued production of such milk?

Mr. Strang

My hon. Friend has been persistent in his representations on behalf of his producers and consumers. He will be happy to know that my right hon. Friend proposes to make an important announcement later today.

Mr. Jopling

To follow the supplementary question of my hon. Friend the Member for Leek (Mr. Knox), will the Minister give us the facts? Is it true that land in the United Kingdom similar to that which receives grant under the less favoured areas directive in the rest of the Community, does not receive grant? Is that not unfair? May we know the facts?

Mr. Strang

No, that is not so. The United Kingdom does exceptionally well under the less favoured areas directive in terms of the proportion of our land that is designated. We pay high rates of grant compared with other member States.

Mr. Gwynfor Evans

Is the Minister aware that it is from marginal land that the greatest return may be obtained in production for the smallest investment? What is needed in the first place is investment in drainage of the land. Without that preparation it is useless to apply fertilisers and lime, for example, which are leeched away. Will the Minister give attention to that need?

Mr. Strang

Yes, we shall. As the hon. Gentleman knows, we already give valuable advice to farmers in that context and we provide grants in the marginal areas. In carrying out our study we have been considering the matter to which the hon. Gentleman has referred and related matters.

Mrs. Renée Short

Does my hon. Friend recollect the Written Answer that I received from his Department only yesterday about the application of biotechnology to food production? In that answer he stated that he was aware of the application of biotechnology hut was not currently funding any research on the subject. Does my hon. Friend agree that his Department should reconsider that answer and give consideration to increasing food production from marginal land and other types of land to increase food from our own resources?

Mr. Strang

The main applications of biotechnology do not relate to marginal land. I recall clearly my hon. Friend's Written Question. Biotechnology is an important and developing area that is being sponsored by some large companies.