HC Deb 24 January 1986 vol 90 cc340-1W
Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what are the favoured means of dealing with the encroachment of bracken on to agricultural land; and if he will make a statement as to the extent of bracken coverage in the United Kingdom and the problems this poses;

(2) if the Government intend pursuing a bracken eradication programme in the near future.

Mrs. Fenner

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies he is aware of on the health risks posed by the chemical asulox used in the treatment of bracken infestation; and what is the extent of its use in the United Kingdom.

Mrs. Fenner

There are a number of products containing asulam cleared for use under the pesticides safety precautions scheme (PSPS) two of which, "Asulox" and "Asulox/Dessipron" tank mix are cleared for use on bracken. Asulam was submitted to a full range of toxicity studies before clearance. I have no information of any subsequent studies concerning possible health risk arising from the treatment of bracken infestation. In the most recent period for which figures are available, 1980–83, asulam was used on a total of some 453,000 hectares in England and Wales for agricultural and horticultural purposes. I have no information on how much of this use was on bracken.

Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what regulations currently restrict the use of the chemical asulox in the treatment of bracken infestation.

Mrs. Fenner

Two formulations containing asulam have clearance for use on bracken under the pesticides safety precautions scheme (PSPS). There are currently no regulations controlling this use of asulam. However the proposed regulations controlling the sale, supply, storage, use and advertisement of pesticides which are to be made under the Food and Environment Protection Act later this year will apply to asulam.

Wages and salaries of agricultural labour—United Kingdom
1965–66* 1975 1985†
Current prices (£ million) Real‡ terms (1975=100) As percentage of farming income Current prices (£million) Real‡ terms (1975=100) As percentage of farming income Current prices (£ million) Real‡ terms (1975=100) As percentage of farming income
Hired labour — — — 486.3 100 49 1,238.4 92 107
Family and junior partners' labour — — — 209.1 100 21 575.2 99 50
All labour 301.2 98 73 695.4 100 70 1,813.6 94 157

Notes:

* June/May year. Calendar year data are not available before 1970. It is not possible to separate family and hired labour for 1965–66.

† Forecast.

‡ Deflated by the General Index of Retail Prices.

[...] Includes salaried managers and seasonal/casual labour.

[...] Excludes principal farmers and partners and spouses.

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