§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact on biodiversity of the adoption of intensive farming methods since 1969. [74951]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Ministry is a partner in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, which concluded that the adoption of intensive farming methods has had a substantial adverse impact on biodiversity. The Ministry is currently funding research into the effects of intensive management of arable land on birds, and of intensive management of grassland on birds and invertebrates. In addition the Ministry is continuing to fund work on the indirect effects of pesticides on birds.