HC Deb 06 March 1986 vol 93 cc259-60W
Mr. Key

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what grants are available under the agriculture improvement scheme for environmentally positive schemes including the planting of trees and hedges and the building of traditional walls, banks and dykes; if he will quantify such grants; if he will state the value of such grants disbursed since they were introduced; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jopling

Grants have been available since 1 October 1985 under the agricultural investment scheme for environmentally beneficial investments as follows:

Rate of grant (per cent.)
Description Basic LFA
Bracken control (other than soil cultivation) 15 30
Dykes—using materials traditional in the locality 30 60
Heather burning—or regeneration by cutting 15 30
Hedges 30 60
Manure stores for poultry (not integral with poultry house) 15 30
Shelter belts (with 50 per cent. or more of broadleaved trees) 30 60
Walls—using materials traditional in the locality 30 60
Waste disposal (agricultural effluents and waste) 30 60

I regret that no information is available on the grants paid so far on these investments.