§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received urging a single, national comprehensive scheme for the designation of land which must be farmed or otherwise used in special ways for environmental or conservation purposes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryNone. Government policy on the designation of land is to target areas of particular environmental value or sensitivity and to apply objectives which are relevant to those specific areas. Examples of designations for which my Department is responsible include national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and sites of special scientific interest.
My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is responsible for the designation of environmentally sensitive areas in which farmers are invited to maintain or adopt traditional farming methods in return for annual payments. As announced in the Environment White Paper, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is carrying out a review of environmentally sensitive areas this year.