§ 23. Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present acreage of soya bean crops in the United Kingdom; what are 175W the prospects of increased soya bean production in view of the need for additional sources of protein; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BishopSmall areas of soya beans are grown in the United Kingdom for experimental purposes, but the varieties currently available are unsuitable for widespread commercial production in our climate. Plant breeders are trying to develop varieties more suited to the United Kingdom climate, but this may take some time. The EEC has recently introduced a subsidy to encourage production of soya beans and United Kingdom farmers would be able to benefit from this if suitable varieties eventually become available.