§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the adequacy of the present programme of research into disposal of farm wastes; if he will increase his department's support for this work; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John Mackie:I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 28th November last. Our technical services will be extending their experimental and investigational work within the limits of the resources available. At my right hon. Friend's request our Agricultural Advisory Council is considering how far the present research and investigation programme meets the needs. [Vol. 755, c.71]
§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how much money was spent by his Department on research into disposal of farm wastes in 1967; and how much it is planned to spend in 1968.
§ Mr. John Mackie:A number of aspects of this problem are being studied jointly by our technical services as part of their advisory work. It is not practicable to separate out the staff costs involved. Provision is being sought for capital expenditure of £4,000 in 1968 to install an oxidation ditch at Terrington Experimental 157W Husbandry Farm and equipment for sludge disposal at the Arthur Rickwood Farm. Waste disposal systems which have recently been installed at two other Experimental Husbandry Farms at a cost of £11,000 are now being used for a wider programme of investigations. Our technical services are proposing to start new work on commercial farms in 1968 and to intensify their laboratory investigations. A further grant of up to £1,200 has been approved for the continuation of work on poultry wastes at the University College of North Wales.
§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the proposal of the Somerset River Authority to invite between 5,000 and 8,000 farmers in that area to sign undertakings relating to the quality and composition of farm effluent discharged into water courses; and if he will now recommend to the Agricultural Research Council that they release funds so that the Water Pollution Research Laboratory may attempt to find technical solutions to the problems which many farmers will shortly face.
§ Mr. John Mackie:I am informed by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Housing and Local Government, that the Somerset River Authority have recently discussed with the National Farmers' Union ways of informing farmers of the requirements of the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Act, 1961.
Allocation of funds by the Agricultural Research Council is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science. If, in the light of the advice I receive, further research appears to be necessary, I will get in touch with him.