§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tons of topsoil are being lost per acre due to overcultivation, improper irrigation, ploughed grassland, and deforestation in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. CurryThis information is not available.
I am, however, concerned that good agricultural practices are followed to contain soil losses through erosion on susceptible land. There has been considerable research, much of it funded by this Department, and Agricultural Development and Advisory Service staff and their counterparts in Scotland and Northern Ireland are well equipped to provide advice on the means of minimising soil losses.