§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what advice his Department has given to fish farmers on the potential impact of ozone depletion on fish stocks in United Kingdom waters; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will estimate the effect on crop production in the United Kingdom of levels of ozone depletion expected under current United Kingdom proposals for phase-out dates of ozone-depleting chemicals; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what assessment his Ministry has made of which crops commonly grown in the United Kingdom are most sensitive to UV-B radiation; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what advice his Department has given to farmers on the potential impact of ozone depletion on (a) animal health and (b) crops; and if he will make a statement;
(5) what research is being carried out, or is planned by his Department, on the effects of ozone depletion on (a) animal health and (b) crop yield; and if he will make a statement;
(6) what Ministry recording schemes are in existence, or are planned, for conditions in farmed fish and farm animals which are associated with UV-B; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryThe Department is very conscious of the potential relevance to global and United Kingdom agricultural production of an increase in the level of UV-B radiation. It is not possible to make sensible estimates of the effects of an increase, however, as the research base on UV-B and plants and natural ecosystems is far from well-developed. To help develop our understanding the Government partially funded an international meeting of specialists at Lancaster university earlier in the year on "stratospheric ozone depletion and UV-B effects on biota". In addition, building on work undertaken by the Department of the Environment, this Department is carefully considering the possibility of further research specifically into the effects of UV-B radiations on crops and on eggs and larvae of commercially important fish species. On the basis of current knowledge, there is no need to issue specific advice to farmers and fish farmers but we will keep the matter under review.