§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the percentage rise in use for all fertilisers in 1980; and what is his Department's estimate of the increased percentage crop yield which accrues from using fertilisers.
§ Mr. WigginAnnual estimates of fertiliser use are derived from the survey of fertiliser practice, which covers England and Wales.
The latest report produced by Rothamsted experimental station gives results for 1980. The figures shown are percentage changes in fertiliser usage compared with the previous year and those for 1978 and 1979 are included for comparison.
Type of Fertiliser 1978 1979 1980 Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Nitrogen +2.7 +6.1 +2.5 Phosphate +5.4 -2.6 +2.6 Potash +5.1 -2.4 +2.5 Total +3.7 +2.6 +2.5 As regards the second part of this question, I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 16 June 1980 to his question on the same subject.—[Vol. 986, c. 381.]