§ Mr. Redmondasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to intensify research and development in connection with the introduction of the new breed of herbivorous carp which consume weed in rivers, lakes and ponds and which could add to the fish supplies now available.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartMy Department's Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory is already vigorously pursuing a programme of research in the use of Chinese grass carp for biological weed control in various types of inland waters. Although these fish could be farmed in this country if it were found desirable to introduce them, they do not breed naturally here and there is no prospect that they could make a significant contribution to supplies, even if they proved acceptable to British consumers.