§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total expenditure on agricultural biocides in (i) 1970, (ii) 1980 and (iii) 1989 at 1989 prices; what was the total acreage subject to biocide treatment in (i) 1970, (ii) 1980 and (iii) 1989; what was the total weight of concentrate biocides used in the United Kingdom in (i) 1970, (ii) 1980 and (iii) 1989.
§ Mr. CurryThe information that the hon. Member requests is as follows:
960W
Estimated pesticide usage in England and Wales 1970–89 (Total expenditure figures relate to United Kingdom) Total expenditure at 1989 prices £ million Total area of crops (hectares) Total pesticide treated area3 (hectares) Total active ingredients applied4 (tonnes) 1970 1142 25,631,000 12,783,000 22,062 1980 244 10,511,000 26,012,000 35,533 1989 5440 10,543,000 26,791,000 29,374 1 Earliest available data on comparable price basis is for 1973. 2 Excluding permanent grass. 3 Treated area is the gross area treated with a pesticide, including all repeated applications. 1 Tonnage of active ingredients applied not tonnage of pesticide products. 5 Provisional.