§ 20. Ms. QuinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the pollution of watercourses by the agricultural industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ 67. Mr. Allen McKayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment has been made of the pollution of watercourses by the agricultural industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RyderThe total number of reported farm pollution incidents increased by 6 per cent. in 1988, although there was a 5 per cent. reduction in those classified serious. The Government are taking a number of steps to tackle this problem, incuding free general advice to farmers on pollution avoidance and the most generous grant-aid in the EEC. But Government action alone cannot solve it. It is the duty of every farmer to comply with the law, of the water authorities—soon the National Rivers Authority—to enforce it, and of the courts to set appropriate penalties.