Goose Farming Industry (Hansard, 21 October 1982)

§ 11. Mr. Dalyell
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the state of the goose farming industry.

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
United Kingdom goosemeat production is expected to be about 860 tonnes in 1982. This represents a 15 per cent. increase over the levels in recent years.

§ Mr. Dalyell
In that case, what is the thinking behind the Minister's decision to despatch a goose ecologist to the Falkland Islands?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
I am sure that he will boost the current good trend in goose production, for which the United Kingdom is responsible.

§ Mr. Marlow
As it is possible to fatten geese on grass alone, would it lot be possible to persuade various nationalised industries and statutory organisations such as the roads, railways and so on, to make use of the grassland along their verges to fatten geese?

§ Mr. Buchanan Smith
I understand that geese are also very good watchdogs. I do not have responsibility for nationalised industries, but I shall draw my hon. Friend's interesting suggestion to the attention of my right hon. and hon. Friends who have responsibility for such matters.