§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the reduction of pollution from silo effluent; and what his Department is doing to minimise such pollution.
§ Mr. RyderMy Department is very concerned about the number of farm pollution incidents and is taking steps to curb them. We are giving free general advice on pollution avoidance. High rates of grant are available for silage effluent facilities and our expenditure on these grants has increased sharply. We are assisting in the preparation of regulations to cover the construction of new silage facilities. I have emphasised on several occasions the need for realistic fines for those found guilty of causing farm pollution.