§ Mr. JoplingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the cost of offering environmentally sensitive area grants to farmers in each of the national parks in England and Wales using similar take-up percentages as exist in those areas which are of a similar nature and region.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to the answer, 13 November 1991]: I am today announcing my proposals to designate 12 further environmentally sensitive areas. They are:
- In 1992:
- Exmoor
- Hampshire Avon
- Lake District
- North Dorset and South Wiltshire Downs
- North West Kent Coast/South Western Peak;
In 1993:
- Blackdown Hills, Devon/Somerset border
- Cotswold Hills
192 - Dartmoor
- Essex Coast
- Shropshire Hills
- Upper Thames Tributaries.
The new designations will more than treble the amount of farmland within the 10 existing ESAs in England.
Environmentally sensitive areas have proved a tremendous success since they were first introduced in 1987. They help farmers to conserve special habitats, landscapes and features of historic interest. Their contribution to protecting areas of national environmental importance has been acclaimed by farmers and environmentalists alike, and they have paved the way for similar schemes throughout Europe.
We are starting work immediately on six of the new areas so that they can come into operation next summer. The other six areas will open for applications the following year.
The ESA scheme has proved an excellent example of the way in which agricultural and environmental policies can operate in harmony to conserve the best features of our countryside. We have pioneered this approach in the United Kingdom and I am delighted to be able to announce this major extension of the scheme.