§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what areas of responsibility are handled by the Veterinary Service Staff of ADAS in the West Midlands Region of his Department;
(2) what is the division of responsibility amongst the agriculture service staff of ADAS in the West Midlands Region of his Department;
(3) what are the responsibilities of the miscellaneous officers of ADAS in the West Midlands Region of his Department;
(4) what responsibilities are undertaken by the science service of ADAS in the West Midlands Regions of his Department.
§ Mr. PeartIn the West Midlands Region, as in the rest of England and Wales, the staff of ADAS are responsible for providing advice to farmers and growers on technical and farm management matters, conducting investigations into local problems, promoting the application of the results of agricultural research, providing various services to farmers and growers and advising the Ministry's administrative staff on the professional, scientific and technical aspects of the implementation of statutes, including those concerned with the control of pests and diseases and the various schemes for grant-aiding farm improvement. ADAS has seven component services; there is no "miscellaneous" group.
The Agricultural Service gives advice on various forms of husbandry and horticulture and on farm management, advice on certain schemes attracting grant-aid 494W and socio-economic guidance. It is also responsible for enforcing grading regulations for fresh horticultural produce.
The Land Service provides advice on estate management matters to landowners, farmers and growers including advice on the design, layout and construction of farm buildings, on the implementation of the Ministry's land use policy in regard to proposals for the use of agricultural land and on longer term development plans. It acts as land agent to the Department.
The Land Drainage Service's responsibilities cover advisory development and promotional work for arterial drainage, sea defence, field drainage, farm water supply and irrigation works. It also advises on applications for grant aid on land drainage and farm water supply schemes.
The Science Service gives specialist advice on a variety of problems including those of plant and animal nutrition, control of plant pests and diseases, soils, feedingstuffs and farm water purity. It also provides chargeable analytical and diagnostic services to farmers and growers.
The Veterinary Service advises on animal and poultry disease matters and animal welfare. It is responsible for the professional and technical aspects of the implementation of the statutes relating to notifiable animal diseases, disease eradication schemes and farm animal welfare. It is also involved in certification for imports and exports of live animals and meat products. Veterinary Investigation Centres provide laboratory services for veterinary surgeons in private practice.
The Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate is responsible for implementing the technical aspects of the statutes designed to control the quality of seeds and the introduction or spread of plant pests and diseases.
The Regional Pests Organisation gives advice on the control of birds and mammals injurious to agriculture, on the control of rats and mice and the control of invertebrate pests in food stores.
§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many members there are in the finance department of the West Midlands Region of his Department.
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§ Mr. PeartA total of 11 officers are engaged full time in the West Midland Region of my Department on work in connection with receipts from charges for diagnostic services and payments for travel, miscellaneous purchases, and fees.
§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the size of the establishment department of the West Midlands Region of his Department.
§ Mr. PeartA total of 24 officers are engaged full time in the West Midland Region of my Department on staffing, personnel and accommodation matters.
§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the responsibility of field officers in the West Midlands Region of his Department.
§ Mr. PeartField officers in the West Midland Region of my Department are responsible for a wide variety of duties mainly in connection with checks on grants and subsidies, farm safety, pest control andad hoc work on such matters as EEC intervention and agricultural censuses.
§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what tasks are undertaken by the Safety Inspectorate in the West Midlands Region of his Department that are not undertaken by staff from the Department of Employment.
§ Mr. PeartThe duties of the safety inspectorate in the region range from advisory and educational work designed to make agricultural premises safer and healthier places in which to work to the enforcement of health and safety legislation, and include investigation of accidents.
No staff of the Department of Employment are currently engaged on this kind of work.