§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his reply to the hon. Member for South Shields of 27 June, if he will list all the schemes introduced by his Ministry which help reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RyderThe measures include the designation of 19 environmentally sensitive areas since 1987; the introduction of the farm woodland scheme and the set-aside scheme in 1988; and the introduction, earlier this year, of a new farm and conservation grant scheme which offers grant inter alia for energy saving, effluent facilities and for the regeneration of native woodlands and heather moors. In addition, the policies adopted by the European Community in recent years to reduce surplus production of agricultural commodities will help to mitigate emissions.