STRAW AND STUBBLE BURNING CODE

HL Deb 05 July 1984 vol 454 c511WA

Lord Henderson of Brompton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What guidance has been given on safeguarding the users of highways to farmers who burn straw and stubble.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)

Guidance is given in the NFU Straw and Stubble Burning Code 1984, which has now been published and is being sent to all cereal growers. The code refers to the offences which may be committed under Sections 131(1) and 161(2) of the Highways Act 1980, and advises farmers to burn well away from public roads and not within 100 metres of a motorway or dual carriageway. This advice is featured in a training video produced by the Agricultural Training Board for use in training courses for farmers and farm workers on safe burning of straw and stubble. I am placing a copy of the code in the Library of the House.