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Smallholdings

Volume 84: debated on Wednesday 30 October 1985

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asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many agricultural smallholdings were leased to tenant farmers by his Department in each district and islands area in May 1979 and in October 1985, respectively.

The numbers of agricultural smallholdings (excluding crofts) leased to tenant farmers by the Secretary of State's Department are set out in the table below. The information is not readily available by district and island areas.

County1 May 19791 October 1985
Aberdeen459
Angus497
Argyll178
Ayr10315
Berwick7118
Caithness[02
Dumfries7414
Dumbarton131
East Lothian9613
Fife321
Inverness114
Kincardine293
Kirkcudbright403
Lanark675
Midlothian6812
Moray10
Orkney1
Peebles13
Perth695
Renfrew357
Ross and Cromarty20
Roxburgh32
Stirling567
Sutherland21
West Lothian8711
County1 May 19791 October 1985
Wigtown399
1,065157

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will arrange for a thorough survey and analysis of cattle morbidity and mortality on dairy farms participating in the Scottish Milk Marketing Board's milk recording scheme within 20 miles of Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, from 1975 to 1985, and publish the results in a form accessible and intelligible to the non-scientific general public;(2) if he will take steps to prepare a detailed analysis of the persistent and unusual symptoms of ill-health in farm animals reported in central Scotland for the years 1980 to 1985, inclusive, and to publish the data in detail and also in a summary intelligible and accessible to the non-scientific general public;(3) if he will make arrangements for further cartographic analysis of the unexplained phenomena affecting the health of farm animals within a radius of 20 miles of Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, for the years 1982 to 1984, inclusive.

The incidence of animal morbidity in the Bonnybridge-Denny area was fully considered as part of the Leniham review. After taking into account the outcome of extensive investigations carried out by the veterinary investigation services of the East and West of Scotland agricultural colleges and by the Glasgow University veterinary school, the review concluded that there was nothing unusual about the health of animals generally in that area nor was there any unusual factor operating in the area causing unusual morbidity among farm animals. In the light of this conclusion I see no reason for undertaking further surveys and analysis as proposed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farmers have been interviewed personally and their evidence recorded in writing by his officials concerning animal problems of farm animal health within a radius of 20 miles of Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, for the years 1974 to 1985, inclusive; and if he will publish the available data in detail and also in a summary form intelligible and accessible to the non-scientific general public.

This information is not available. As explained in my reply of 23 October [Vol. 83, c. 175] problems of animal health would normally be a matter for the farmer and his veterinary surgeon, not my officials.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made to the Scottish Milk Marketing Board and to the relevant public health authorities on the subject of regular tests for the presence of dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls in random samples of bottled milk sold direct from farms to consumers within a radius of 20 miles of Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire; and whether reports of such tests will be published.

None. Public health sampling and testing of milk is the responsibility of local authorities. Requests for information on such testing should accordingly be directed at the appropriate district council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to require that milk from farms where there have been unexplained and unusual animal health problems is segregated from milk supplied by farms where no such problems have been reported; and if he will make provision for compensation for farmers affected by such action.

No. Adequate powers are already available to local authorities under both the Milk and Dairies (Scotland) Act 1914 and the Food and Drugs (Scotland) Act 1956 to stop milk supplies intended for human consumption if they consider that the milk is unfit. These powers include provisions regarding compensation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what he is doing to commission statistically significant scientific testing for traces of dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls, at parts per trillion, of samples of soil, vegetation and animal fat from farms within a radius of 20 miles of Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, on the basis of samples taken as near as possible to each kilometre grid square intersection on the 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey.

Samples of soil and animal fat have been analysed at the parts per trillion level for dioxins and furans and at the parts per billion level for polychlorinated biphenyls. No useful purpose would be served in sampling in the way suggested.Concerning current research into the levels of dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls in soil I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question about current research on 21 October [Vol. 84, c.

98].

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish details available to him of the operation of the Re-Chem International incinerator at Roughmute, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, on the following dates: 5 September 1983, 1 to 30 April, 18, 24, 28, 29 and 31 May 1984, 1, 20 and 27 June 1984, 10 and 11 July 1984, and 7, 10, 15 and 31 August 1984; and whether he is satisfied that the reactor was properly operated on those dates.

The Secretary of State does not have this information. Details of operating conditions during the periods in question are held by the company.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied with the standard of cartographic analysis of the data examined by the Lenihan report on morbidity in the Denny and Bonnybridge areas; and whether any use was made of the technique of computer mapping in the analysis.

The findings of the report of the independent review group chaired by Professor Lenihan have been accepted by the Government. The group's methodology was set out in its report. I do not consider it appropriate to comment on its use of particular analytical techniques.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish his analysis of the information he has on the health of farmers, farmworkers and their families living within 20 miles of Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, for the period 1974 to 1985 inclusive: and if he will indicate the professional advice he sought in the analysis.

I have no specific information on the health of farmers, farm workers and their families living within 20 miles of Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire for the period 1974 to 1985 inclusive.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has had any discussions about compensation to children born with eye and other bodily defects, as a result of the poisoning of their mothers and fathers by the emission and dispersal of toxic compounds from installations in central Scotland.

No. Such discussions would be inappropriate. There is no evidence that the eye and other bodily defects referred to in the question are linked to the emission and dispersal of toxic compounds from installations in central Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy towards the recommendations in the Lenihan report about morbidity in the Denny and Bonnybridge areas about the best geographical area of study.

I have accepted the recommendations of the Lenihan report, and am pursuing those which call for further action.