HC Deb 12 June 1986 vol 99 cc489-90
10. Mr. Latham

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has held with the president of the National Farmers Union regarding a set-aside scheme for dealing with agricultural surpluses.

Mr. Jopling

I and my officials hold frequent discussions with representatives of the NFU on all aspects of the support system for cereals.

Mr. Latham

Rather than just going back 200 years to "Turnip" Townsend and fallow fields in a four-course rotation, will my right hon. Friend look carefully at the NFU's brand new document on tree production? Does it not contain a good deal of common sense?

Mr. Jopling

Yes. I believe that, for some time now, the NFU has recognised the importance of increasing woodland on farms. I very much look forward to studying its document more carefully. The fallowing of land is an ancient and honourable way of land management.