§ Mr. TippingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the conditions that can be placed on land that has been set aside under the arable area payments scheme to improve or protect the environment and improve recreational opportunities; what plans she has to impose new conditions; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 11 January 1994]: The conditions for the management of set-aside under the arable area payments scheme are given in the explanatory guide to the scheme for 1993–94. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Farmers can obtain further advice on how to manage their set-aside land for specific environmental objectives from the arable area payments leaflet AR14, a copy of which has also been placed in the Library. In addition free advice on environmental matters is available to farmers through the ADAS agency.
The proposed countryside access scheme, which we plan to introduce later this year, should increase the recreational potential of set-aside by offering farmers incentive payments for providing public access to suitable non-rotational set-aside land. In addition, following pressure from the United Kingdom, the Agriculture Council has asked the Commission to undertake a study of the relationship between set-aside and arable land withdrawn from production under EC forestry and agri-environment regulations. We will continue to press for such land to be allowed to qualify as set-aside under the arable area payments scheme.