§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research his Department has carried out upon the impact of recreation on biodiversity.
§ Mr. RedwoodMy Department has not recently carried out an research on the impact of recreation on biodiversity.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what prime biodiversity areas within the meaning of the report, "Biodiversity—The UK Action Plan", he has identified in Wales; and if he will make a statement about his strategy to protect and enhance such sites.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe biodiversity steering group is considering this issue. Its report is due to be published by the end of this year.
500W
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the suitability of existing financial incentives to encourage environmentally sensitive forms of agriculture to ensure that they are contributing to biodiversity objectives.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe environmentally sensitive area scheme is an obvious example of the application of biodiversity objectives to agricultural policy. A detailed monitoring programme to examine the environmental and economic effects of the scheme has been established and will continue.
Policy reviews are undertaken every five years to assess the suitability of the scheme and reports of the findings in the Cambrian mountains "Original", and Cambrian mountains "Extension" and Lleyn peninsula ESAs were published in 1991 and 1992 respectively. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House. Payment reviews are undertaken biennially.
The new agri-environmental schemes will be similarly monitored to ensure they also contribute to biodiversity objectives.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance he has issued to encourage the tourism industry in Wales to include information about the need for environmental conservation, and information about local biodiversity, in promotional literature.
§ Mr. RedwoodPlanning policy guidance note 21: "Tourism", issued November 1992, outlines the economic significance of tourism, its environmental impact and how it should he dealt with in local authority development plans. Local authorities, working with the Wales tourist board are best placed to decide how to promote such policies.