§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards protecting the stock of good quality agricultural land.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe protection and improvement of good quality agricultural land in the United Kingdom is an important part of Government policy, to which I attach the greatest significance. While we must realistically accept that there will be legitimate competing demands for development, recreation and conservation, a balance has to be struck which adequately protects agriculture. Good quality land is a scarce resource and its availability is vital to the capacity of the agricultural industry to maintain and improve its competitive position and enable it to make its essential contribution to the provision of the nation's food supply.