§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the financial loss to the United Kingdom agricultural industry caused by leatherjackets; what are the circumstances in which such loss occurs; and how information on damage caused by leatherjackets is collected and assimilated.
§ Mr. MacleanMAFF is funding a survey of organic cereal fields in England and Wales, assessing levels of leatherjacket damage and other pest, disease and weed problems. The results of this survey will be collated and made available to farmers in due course. I am writing separately to the hon. Member with further details of the type of loss and damage caused by this species.