§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many acres of agricultural land were treated with lime in England and Wales in each of the last five years; and what is his estimate of the minimum of acres treated with lime per annum to ensure that no deterioration takes place in the quality of agricultural land in England and Wales.
§ Mrs. FennerThe following table shows the acreage of agricultural land in England and Wales on which subsidised lime was spread in each of the last five years:
Calendar Year Million Acres 1968 1.2 1969 1.4 1970 1.3 1971 1.4 1972 1.3 It is not possible to estimate what minimum acreage ought to be treated with lime in any year: farmers decide individually how often to lime having regard to such factors as the amount of leaching and the crops grown or livestock carried on their land.