§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied with the progress being made by research into grass and legume breeding at the Welsh plant breeding station; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. MacfarlaneI am informed by the Agricultural Research Council that valuable results have been obtained from research into grass and legume breeding at the Welsh plant breeding station. The station was awarded a Queen's Award for technological achievement in 1976 for the breeding of hybrid ryegrasses.
While the breeding of perennial ryegrasses was less successful for a period, promising new varieties are now undergoing trials. Significant improvements have also been made in the seed-producing potential of white clover varieties.