HC Deb 03 June 1980 vol 985 cc653-4W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of Forestry Commission land is sprayed regularly with 2,4,5-T.

Mr. Wiggin

The area treated annually in the last two years has accounted for less than 0.1 per cent. of the commission's plantations. It is usually unnecessary to treat an area more than once.

Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total quantity of the active ingredient 2,4,5-T used by the Forestry Commission in each of the years 1970 to 1979.

Mr. Wiggin

Estimated annual usage of 2,4,5-T by the Forestry Commission is available only as follows:

Period Tonnes
1970–1971 NIL
1973–1976 (average) 3.9
1977 1.0
1978 1.6
1979 1.25

Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost per hectare of the spraying of forestry land with 2,4,5-T.

Mr. Wiggin

Average total costs are not easily ascertainable since the cost of spraying varies with the site conditions, the type of equipment used and the treat- ment required in each case. An important element in the cost which can be more readily identified is the cost of the chemical itself, which in the case of foliar application after planting, for example, averages approximately £18 per hectare actually treated.

Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the application rate in pounds per acre or kilogrammes per hectare of 2,4,5-T when the Forestry Commission undertakes spraying.

Mr. Wiggin

2,4,5-T is not usually applied uniformly over an area but is sprayed in small amounts directly on to woody weeds.

Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at what stages in the growth of trees Forestry Commission land is sprayed with 2,4,5-T.

Mr. Wiggin

Treatment is mainly carried out if it becomes necessary to removewoody weeds which are competing with young trees usually up to five years after planting; stump regrowth at any time but usually when the surrounding crop is between 15 and 30 years old; woody weeds under a mature crop about to be felled to facilitate access and replanting.