§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the high cost to the agriculture industry resulting from damage to crops, he will consider reintroducing the grant of 50 per cent. to rabbit clearance societies.
§ Mrs. Fenner:No. My Department's available resources will continue to be devoted to research into new or improved control techniques and to the provision of free advice and publicity. These are the most effective means of assisting occupiers to fulfil their statutory responsibility for controlling rabbits on their land.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what grants are payable to persons in the agriculture industry who wish to install low voltage electrified plastic netting in order to protect their crops from the damage created by rabbits.
§ Mrs. Fenner:Grant is not available for portable electrical equipment under the national agriculture and horticulture grant scheme. Grant is, however, available to those businesses eligible for assistance under the farm and horticulture development scheme or the agriculture and horticulture development scheme at a standard rate of 5 per cent. of the cost—10 per cent. in less favoured areas—provided that the expenditure is of a capital nature.