Environment (Hansard, 10 July 1989)

§ Mr. Peter Walker

Since May 1979, I have designated two environmentally sensitive areas in Wales. The ESA policy aims to promote the co-existence of conservation and efficient farming in areas perceived to be at risk from increasingly intensive methods of production.

Emphasis on conservation and the control of pollution caused by farm operations has also been strengthened in the new farm and conservation grant scheme introduced in February this year. Three new conservation grants have been launched. These will encourage the regeneration of native woodland and of heather moors and assist in the cost of repairs to vernacular farm buildings. With a grant rate of 50 per cent. towards the cost of farm pollution control, the United Kingdom now has the most comprehensive anti-farm-pollution grant scheme in the European Community. It is only early days, but farmers are already showing increasing interest in applying for grants.

I was also involved with the other Agriculture Ministers in the announcement of the United Kingdom set-aside scheme in June 1988. This constituted a practical guide offering advice and encouraging the management of set-aside land in the best interests of conservation and the environment generally.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I have created a unified inspectorate of pollution with the remit to develop an integrated approach to pollution control. One of our other major initiatives has been to cut the maximum lead content of petrol by 60 per cent. which allied to a reduction in duty on unleaded 343W making it some lop cheaper than leaded 4-star, has resulted in unleaded petrol sales increasingly rapidly and currently accounting for almost 20 per cent. of the market.

As to renewable energies, Wales has significant potential in this field, particularly in terms of wind and tidal power. Studies in these two areas are currently being undertaken at a number of sites throughout the Principality.

On 19 June 1989, together with my right hon. Friends the other territorial agricultural Ministers, I issued a consultative document inviting comments on ideas for implementing, for beef and sheep, the European Community extensification scheme in the United Kingdom. Wherever possible, I will wish to ensure that extensification brings enviromental benefits.

Furthermore, together with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment, I am proposing to bring forward as soon as the parliamentary timetable allows, major legislation dealing with environmental protection. The Bill, among other things, will include measures dealing with air pollution control and reform of the waste disposal law. It will also introduce a new system of integrated pollution control for industry. In addition, we will shortly be announcing a number of proposals for legislation designed to ensure more effective action to be taken against litterers and litter.