HC Deb 14 May 1993 vol 224 cc600-1W
Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial assistance or advice he is making available to the agricultural industry for schemes to minimise water pollution.

Sir Hector Monro

[holding answer 13 May 1993]: The code of good practice "Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity" which the Government published in March 1992 gives comprehensive advice to farmers. Advice may also be obtained from the Scottish Agricultural College.

Grants of up to 50 per cent. are available under the farm and conservation grant scheme towards the cost of waste management facilities.

Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research he has commissioned or is conducting into the effects of agriculture on water quality in Scotland; and what sums have been allocated to such research.

Sir Hector Monro

[holding answer 13 May 1993]: The following projects currently form part of the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department's commissioned programme of agricultural and related research and development:

  • Measurement, modelling and prevention of transfer of pollutants from land to aquatic systems.
  • Development of methods and a computer programme for treatment of livestock wastes and regulation of waste management systems.
  • Protozoan, bacterial and viral pathogens, farm animal wastes and water quality protection.
  • Biological mechanisms in mass algal cultures controlling the emission of nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon from animal wastes.
  • Use of photobioreactor to investigate the influence of irradiance, light/dark cycles and carbon dioxide concentration on the growth of microalgae and their application to waste treatment and biotechnology.
  • The effect of livestock farming (beef and dairy cattle) activities on catchment water quality.
  • Use of geographical information systems techniques with process-based environmental assessment procedures for water quality modelling.
  • Quantifying sources and sinks of acidity under selected hill land use, and their effects on water quality and quantity.
  • Quantifying the principal hydrological and hydrochemical consequences of forestry in relation to soil type, atmospheric inputs and management practices.
  • Water resource modelling: the effect of land use change and atmospheric deposition.
  • Economic analysis of the effect of agricultural pollution on water quality and the potential for its control.
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  • Operational research and modelling studies of environmental problems associated with silage effluent, slurry and other pollutants.

The current cost of these projects in 1993–94 is estimated to be about £0.9 million.

In addition, the Scottish Office Environment Department is funding research which is likely to improve understanding of the effects of agriculture on water quality. The work includes a study of nutrient transport in estuaries. £54,000 will be allocated to these projects in 1993–94.

Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the effects of agriculture on water quality in Scotland.

Sir Hector Monro

[holding answer 13 May 1993]: Figures compiled by the Scottish farm waste liaison group show that in 1992 there were 400 water pollution incidents arising from agricultural operations compared with 521 in 1991. This significant drop is welcome. The Government hope that greater awareness of and compliance with the Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (Scotland) Regulations 1991 will result in further improvement.

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