§ Mr. Welshasked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the use of lime in England and Wales; and what recommendations his Department has made to farmers on this subject.
§ Mr. StrangMy right hon. Friend the Minister has received a number of representations mainly from farmers' organisations in England and Wales and particularly about the use of lime in hill areas. They seek the reintroduction of the lime subsidy. My Department is very conscious of the need to maintain the fertility 605W of agricultural soils, and every opportunity is being taken through the Agricultural Development Advisory Service and other means to remind farmers to carry out an appropriate liming programme. A recent example is the Press release in the Department's "Current Topics" series issued on 6th February 1978, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Welshasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what monitoring is undertaken by his Department of the effects of the withdrawal of lime subsidy in England and Wales; what estimates he now has of current lime usage in England and Wales; and if he will reintroduce the lime subsidy immediately.
§ Mr. StrangThe lime subsidy was withdrawn in September 1976. Monitoring of lime use is undertaken by the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, in conjunction with the Fertiliser Manufacturers' Association, through the survey of fertiliser practice, which is based on a sample of 1,300 farms. Figures from this survey show a fall in lime usage of about 12 per cent. in 1977, compared with 1976. Both the survey and the subsidy statistics show that a substantial increase in lime usage occurred between 1975 and 1976.
On the question of reintroduction of the lime subsidy, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 16th February to the hon. Member for Cardigan (Mr. Howells).—[Vol. 944, c. 647.]