HC Deb 21 March 1967 vol 743 cc241-2W
Mr. Garrett

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the importance of establishing an experimental husbandry farm in the northern counties to explore the problems of livestock production in the hill areas; and what steps he proposes to take to this end.

Mr. Peart

Yes. I have for some time attached high priority to the requirement for a hill farm in the North, preferably to the east of the Pennines. I am glad to say that negotiations have now reached an advanced stage and will I hope very shortly be concluded for the leasing by my Department of two adjacent farms between Otterburn and Rochester in Northumberland to form a northern hill experimental husbandry farm. The lease will be for 21 years, renewable by agreement with the owner. Possession will be given in May next. The farms comprise in all about 2,300 acres, of which 280 acres are improved land. I and my advisers are satisfied that they are very suitable for experimental work on the problems of these hill areas. I am confident that the work of the Redesdale Experimental Husbandry Farm (as it will be called) will in the years ahead lead to a very significant increase in the contribution which livestock rearing areas such as this can make to increased home meat production in accordance with the selective expansion programme.