§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure the survival of rendzina soils subject to arable cropping; and what information he possesses concerning their degradation.
§ Mr. CurryThe special problems of rendzinas, and other soil types in England and Wales, are well understood by soil scientists of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service. These specialists are located at the regional offices and sub-centres of MAFF and WOAD, and are available to provide advice and information on all aspects of soil care to all who require it.
951WThe Department continues to fund research on a very wide range of soil-related problems. The many facets of soil degradation, such as heavy-metal contamination, erosion and acidification, are included in these studies.
Information is published in suitable format, for example, in scientific journals, from individual projects within this programme, as soon as conclusions can be drawn with confidence.
In addition to the work funded by my Department, there is a large amount of information available from other sources, both in the United Kingdom and overseas. It would not be possible to draw all this together for presentation, except at inordinate cost.