§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment Her Majesty's Government have made of the costs of(a) bio-control, (b) mechanical weeding and (c) use of pesticides for the needs of agriculture in the United Kingdom. [26329]
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 13 June 1995]: The needs of agriculture are addressed in the research and development programmes of the agriculture departments, which include examination of various methods of pest, disease and weed control. The results are widely published and help guide agricultural and environmental policy and practice. I will write to the hon. Member shortly with details of work on integrated crop management.