§ Mr. Gardnerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the effect to the long-term fertility of the soil caused by modern farming practices and in particular continuous corn growing.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesI am concerned that we should be well informed about any effect which modern farming methods may have in the long term on the fertility and structure of the soil. I have therefore asked the Agricultural Advisory Council to look into the problem urgently. The Council's remit will be to advise whether, and, if so, the extent to which, present practices are having adverse effects on soil fertility and soil structure; whether it considers that the National Agricultural Advisory Service has all the information necessary to advise on methods of preventing any such damage or remedying it after it has taken place; and whether any further steps are necessary to get this advice across to farmers. The Council's conclusions will be published.