§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further measures he proposes to take to assist farmers to care for the countryside.
§ Mr. CurryWe propose to announce shortly final details of six new environmentally sensitive areas—ESAs —which will begin operating this year and to consult on plans for a further six areas to begin operating in 1993 as well as reviewing the five ESAs that were designated in 1988. We shall consider the scope for further measures in the context of reform of the common agriculture policy, including the proposed agri-environment programme, once the current negotiations reach a conclusion.