§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider introducing legislation to prohibit straw and stubble burning for up to three years by farmers who burn straw and stubble in a reckless manner.
§ Mr. JoplingStraw burning must be carried out safely and considerately, and it may well be necessary to strengthen the NFU code and the local authority byelaws to ensure this. I have already announced that I am holding discussions with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary about strengthening the model byelaw. I believe that in this way we must ensure that those farmers who do not show reasonable consideration can be compelled to do so.