§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether any study has been carried out by or for his Department of the effects of a nuclear attack upon agriculture and food production in Great Britain; whether there is any additional information available with regard to Wales; whether there have been any biological studies of the effects of radioactive fall-out on crops and grassland, livestock, stored food, silage and hay; and what is the estimated severity and duration of these effects;
(2) whether he has made any study of the effects upon British agriculture and farming of the dislocation caused by a nuclear attack, with the effect of the possible unavailability of mains services, transport, manufactured products and imported fuels and feeding materials.
§ Mrs. FennerStudies have been made on the possible effects of nuclear attack on British agriculture, including the effects of fall-out. Work on this is continuing. No special considerations apply to Wales. The severity and duration of the effects of attack would depend on its weight and location.
§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans are available to his Department, either for its own activities at local level or 468W for the benefit of regional or district commissioners concerning the maintenance of farming and the restriction of farming and food production in the event of nuclear attack upon the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. FennerPlans have been drawn up for the organisation of my Department in an emergency, to operate as necessary under the control of regional commissioners.
§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps there are to warn, inform and advise farmers in the expectation of an imminent nuclear attack and to train and equip farming, advisory and veterinary staff.
§ Mrs. FennerArrangements have been made for the population, including farmers, to be warned of imminent attack. The plans for the organisation of my Department in an emergency cover the maintenance of links between Government and those in farming or connected with it. My Department is continuing work on this.
§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what technical studies there have been of measures that can be used to protect crops and stock, their effectiveness, feasibility and total approximate cost in the event of nuclear attack.
§ Mrs. FennerA study has been made of the practical steps a farmer can take to protect farm animals and stored crops against the effects of nuclear fall-out.