§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether farmers in(a) environmentally sensitive areas and (b) national parks will be eligible for payment under the countryside stewardship scheme.
§ Mr. TrippierCountryside stewardship payments will not be available where funding is available under the ESA scheme. However, the Countryside Commission may, at its discretion, agree payment in an ESA under the stewardship scheme for items not covered by the ESA scheme, for example access. The position is made clear in the scheme literature.
So far as national parks are concerned, farmers and other landowners and managers who have land within the landscape types targeted by the scheme may apply provided they are not receiving public funding already for work and management practices covered by the stewardship scheme.