§ 70. Mr. Jim MarshallTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the operation of the farm woodland scheme.
§ Mr. GummerThe farm woodland scheme came into operation on 1 October 1988. By the end of November 1989 applications had been received to plant 8,938 hectares, 75 per cent. with broadleaved trees. The scheme is clearly successful in encouraging farmers to plant woodlands on land that would otherwise contribute to production of surplus food. It also holds out the prospect of environmental and landscape improvements in the longer term.
§ 71. Mr. BoswellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current uptake of the farm woodland scheme.
§ 72. Mr. LivseyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the current uptake of applications for the farm woodland scheme.
§ Mr. GummerIn the first 14 months of the farm woodland scheme 1,323 farmers applied to plant a total of 8,938 hectares of trees throughout the United Kingdom. The trees will be planted in small areas, which average around 6 hectares per farm and 75 per cent. will be broadleaved species.