§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 15 May,Official Report, column 505, on agricultural systems, if the comparative study his Department is considering of organic farming against conventional farming will include (a) the internalisation of agriculturally derived pollution clear-up and water treatment, (b) energy use, (c) soil erosion, (d) the internalisation of wildlife loss, (e) the impact of the BSE situation and (f) the job creation potential of each system; and if he will make a statement. [32476]
§ Mr. BoswellOur general aim is to explore over time the relative environmental impact of organic and conventional farming. Because of the complexity of the issues raised, the work we have in mind at this stage is necessarily of a preliminary nature. We need to assess the available methods for comparing farm systems and valuing the differences, so that we have a reliable basis on which to take forward in-depth research. Our current plan is therefore to commission two short-term desk studies on these technical aspects. We will then consider the options for further, substantive work in the light of these initial studies.
371W