§ Mr. Simon Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the annual loss of moorland to ploughing and afforestation in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. ButlerDetailed records are not kept but the area of moorland type ground ploughed up for afforestation is of the order of 600 hectares per annum. It is not normal practice in Northern Ireland to improve moorland for agricultural use through ploughing.