§ Mr. Hancockasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to implement the findings of his Department's report of July 1984, which investigated the possibility of using straw pulp for the manufacturing of paper; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerMy Department's straw utilisation group provides a forum where industrialists, farmers, research workers, officials and other interested parties can review regularly progress on the whole range of research undertaken in this field and can disseminate their findings to the industries concerned. Commercial development and assessment of commercial viability are matters for the relevant industrial sector to decide. The group met recently to review progress on the projects covered in its 1984 report and noted that studies funded by the Government has identified a number of paper mills and factories potentially capable of utilising straw and, provided appropriate industry support was forthcoming, that a full feasibility study on a particular manufacturing method would be appropriate.