HL Deb 15 May 1991 vol 528 c72WA
Lord Lyell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To describe the extent to which research and development on environmental issues is currently funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is spending about £50 million a year on R&D related to environmental issues, almost half of the department's total expenditure on R&D of about £120 million. This is a very significant level and underlines the department's commitment to the soundest science on which to base our policies now and in the future.

I am pleased to announce the publication today of a brochure describing the wide range of environmental R&D which the department has commissioned on such issues as conservation; water, air and soil protection; pests and pesticides; climate change; farm woodlands and set-aside; flood and coastal defence; genetic conservation and modification; and protection of fisheries and the marine environment. This brochure has been placed in both Libraries.