HC Deb 27 June 1989 vol 155 cc443-4W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the current estimates of greenhouse gas emissions, such as nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide, from the agricultural sector in the United Kingdom; and what are his proposals to reduce these emissions.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Agriculture both produces and consumes carbon dioxide, and net emissions are likely to be small. Annual emissions of methane and nitrous oxide from agriculture are very tentatively and approximately estimated at 1–4 million tonnes and 0–06 million tonnes (as N) respectively.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what specific proposals his Department has put forward for consideration and enactment, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions such as nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide, since the seminar on the greenhouse effect held by the Prime Minister on 26 April.

Mr. Donald Thompson

My Department participates in the work of the Intergovernmental panel on climate change, and we have drawn its attention to a number of schemes in the United Kingdom which encourage farmers to protect the environment, and which help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.