HC Deb 27 October 1955 vol 545 cc42-3W
62. Mr. Parker

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated percentage increase in corn crops and in other principal forms of agricultural production this year as a result of the decrease in the number of rabbits.

Mr. Amory

Reports based on observation suggest that the increase in cereal production over the country as a whole due to freedom from rabbit damage is not far short of 2 cwt. per acre. It is not possible to make an estimate based on statistics owing to the difficulty of isolating this factor from the other factors affecting production. It is even more difficult to estimate the increase in grass but it is certainly very considerable.