Lord Hawkeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have noted the report of the Brighton Polytechnic Countryside Research Unit that intensive farming on the South Downs is causing irreparable damage through erosion, and how they plan to save the downs from this threat for posterity.
§ Lord BelsteadI believe my noble friend is referring to an article which appeared recently in the journalSoil and Water. The Agricultural Development and Advisory Service gives advice to farmers on measures to combat erosion on the South Downs and also in other areas of England and Wales where this problem exists.