HC Deb 10 June 1993 vol 226 c429
12. Mr. Hardy

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total acreage of arable land put into set-aside during the last three years.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

A total of 54,317 hectares, or 134,000 acres, of land have been entered into the five-year scheme and 14,118 hectares, or 35,000 acres, have been entered into the one-year scheme in the United Kingdom during the years 1990 to 1992. I will publish as soon as possible details of the amount of land set aside under the arable area payment scheme.

Mr. Hardy

Is it not now clear that the set-aside agreement, which the Government wish the nation to see as a triumph, means that in the United Kingdom 2 per cent. more arable land will be set aside than in any other member state? Will the Minister confirm that the cost of that agreement is likely to exceed 1.5 billion? What steps is she taking to remedy the failures of her predecessor?

Mrs. Shephard

I am surprised at the hon. Gentleman's point. He must have noticed that, because of the efforts of my predecessors, set-aside in this country contains a substantial number of features that care for the countryside and the environment. I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman would apparently support the increasing of surpluses. After all, it was the problem of the deletion of wasteful surpluses that set-aside was brought in to solve.