§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy in respect of exemptions to the proposed general ban on straw and stubble burning; and if he has made an estimate of what percentage of material burnt in 1989 will be permitted to be burnt after the general ban comes into force.
§ Mr. MacleanExemptions to the proposed ban will be made by order and will be strictly limited. They may be either permanent, for example for linseed, a crop residue which is extremely difficult to incorporate in the soil, or temporary, applying only in particularly difficult seasons in particular areas and possibly restricted to particular crop residues, in circumstances when I am satisfied that there is no practical alternative to burning. It is impossible to forecast when the combinations of circumstances might arise that would justify the granting of such exemptions.