§ Mr. AshbyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many experimental husbandry farms there are; what is the purpose of these farms; and if he will make a statement on his future policy in respect of such farms.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThere are 12 experimental husbandry farms throughout England and Wales representing all the main farming enterprises on a range of soil types and under a variety of climatic conditions. The primary purpose of these farms is to conduct developmental work in general areas and on specific projects where there is a demonstrable need within the farming industry, with the aim of the early adoption of these systems or techniques by the industry. The development work at the centres is an integral part of the ADAS R and D programme and as such is inseparable from the future decisions on support for agricultural R and D.
§ Mr. AshbyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost of running each experimental husbandry farm; what revenue is received in respect of each farm; and how much of that revenue comes from charges to visitors.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe table shows the running costs and the revenue received in respect of each experimental husbandry farm for the financial year 1986–87. None of these receipts are attributable to charged visits.
Total costs £'000s Receipts £'000s Boxworth 796 409 Bridgets 1,006 477 Drayton 630 201 Gleadthorpe 1,225 381 High Mowthorpe 977 530 Liscombe 520 185 Pwllpeiran 475 180 Redesdale 568 284 Rickwood 514 77 Rosemaund 945 364 Terrington 1,147 359 Trawscoed 1,503 704
§ Mr. AshbyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of visitors to each experimental husbandry farm in each year since 1984.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe table shows the numbers of visitors to experimental husbandry farms for the years 1984 to 1987.
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1984 1985 1986 1987 Boxworth 2,861 2,932 1,821 1,958 Bridgets 2,915 2,215 1,831 1,925 Drayton 1,147 1,390 1,106 950 Gleadthorpe 1,758 2,387 1,467 1,129 High Mowthorpe 1,187 2,327 1,219 2,269 Liscombe 5,144 3,407 2,078 3,356 Redesdale 1,197 1,035 1,185 733 Rickwood 1,727 1,788 1,743 1,016 Rosemaund 7,317 3,643 3,403 3,191 Terrington 1,412 1,880 1,886 1,761 Trawscoed/Pwllpeiran 2,479 4,398 4,184 2,014