§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has, and what guidance he has issued, to prevent further loss of hedgerows in Wales.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe 1990 survey conducted by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology indicated that, although removal was a cause the loss of hedgerows was mainly due to poor management. The Countryside Council for Wales, at the request of Welsh Office Ministers, introduced the hedgerow renovation scheme in 1992 to improve management. The hedgerow clauses in the Environment Bill will enable the introduction of a notification scheme allowing local authorities to prevent the removal of important hedgerows.