HC Deb 19 March 1987 vol 112 cc1023-4
1. Mr. Bellingham

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now in a position to announce his detailed plans on farm forestry.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Michael Jopling)

A consultation document on the farm woodland scheme was included in the "Farming and Rural Enterprise" package which we published last week. Copies are available in the Vote Office.

Mr. Bellingham

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply and also for the work that he put into the document. However, does he agree that it is imperative that the minimum broadleaved content is maintained? Is he aware that appalling damage has been done to the environment in some parts of the country as a result of the irresponsible planting of conifers in valleys and glens and on hillsides?

Mr. Jopling

I am very interested in my hon. Friend's comments as that is exactly one of the things that will be subject to consultation. Through a combination of higher incentives, encouragement and advice we hope, where possible, to orientate the scheme towards broadleaved planting.

Mr. John

Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that the alternative land use in the rural economy scheme for farm woodland represents the total package of his scheme? Will he further confirm what he is quoted as saying, namely, that that package is intended for higher up the hills rather than the lowlands?

Mr. Jopling

Yes, the extension of the target for traditional forestry will basically be a matter for the Forestry Commission. We expect the new scheme for farm woodlands, which has been broadly welcomed, to operate in the non-cereal producing areas. It may well be that some areas that produce cereals will be offered for this scheme, and there is nothing to stop that happening. However, we would expect most of the land to come from non-cereal producing areas.

Mr. Chapman

Will my right hon. Friend sympathetically consider and, I hope, confirm that the Government's farm forestry policy should not only include the planting of broadleaved hardwoods as woods and copses, but should involve the replanting of many of our lost hedgerows, which are the seedbeds of much of our rural tree stock?

Mr. Jopling

My hon. Friend will recall that I was the Minister who stopped the grants to pull up hedgerows. Our latest information demonstrates that the grubbing up of hedgerows has been reduced to a low level. My hon. Friend will be aware that, in certain areas, we are giving assistance for the reintroduction of hedgerows and walls.