HL Deb 27 October 1976 vol 376 cc425-7

2.40 p.m.

Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's definition of livestock, and whether it includes fish cultivated for food and, if not, why not.

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, there are a number of definitions of livestock in legislation. These definitions were of course designed to fit the purpose of the Statutes in question. It is not possible to generalise on whether livestock includes fish farming without looking at the particular context in which it appears.

Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEY

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that somewhat ambiguous answer, may I ask him whether it would not be a good idea to try to get a general definition of livestock to include any fish farming or any fish industry of any kind within that word? I understand that the Government are reluctant to include fish farming as farming, partly for expense reasons. Is the noble Lord aware that we should save at least £8 million a year if we were self-sufficient, which we could be if the industry were given the encouragement it ought to have?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, at present the basic problems of fish farming arise in research and development. The industry has a great future. But we do not believe it would be appropriate to legislate by analogy. On the other hand, we are giving £1 million for research and development towards the development of this industry. I think an example of the growth of the industry would be when we remember that in the last 10 years the number of fish farms has risen from some 20 to 400.

Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEY

My Lords, if I may say so, the words of the noble Lord, Lord Strabolgi, underline the importance of this industry. It is a growing industry. Would the noble Lord not agree that a Working Party has been set up to look into the problems, and that it is time we had some result from their work?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I am glad to say that discussions are taking place between the Department and the fish farming interests. A report was issued earlier this year, and it is hoped to issue a further report in the new year.

Lord WYNNE-JONES

My Lords, does the reply of the noble Lord, Lord Strabolgi, with regard to the definition of livestock mean that there is a special branch in each Department concerted with the compilation of dictionaries? Or is this done by means of a special committee which co-ordinates the work of all the Departments? Or is it, perhaps, handed out under contract for other people to do?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, if the noble Lord, Lord Wynne-Jones, wishes, I can give him a list of all the Statutes over the last 20 or 30 years with the various definitions, but I think it may be better if I wrote to him. On the other hand, one example where fish farming is included is the Farm and Horticultural Development Scheme 1975.

Lord BALERNO

My Lords, are the Government aware that as the law stands at present, veterinary surgeons are precluded from giving advice and other professional help to fish and fish farmers? What do the Government intend to do about it?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, there are a number of issues which we are at present discussing with the industry. This would be one of them. We shall be able to legislate when we have considered these various points which, of course, cover a great many Departments.