§ Mrs. GoldingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to encourage the replacement of set-aside with an environment-friendly arable extensification policy. [36650]
§ Mr. BaldrySet-aside is a requirement of the European Community legislation governing the support arrangements for producers of arable crops. While it remains so, the UK will continue to apply management conditions to set-aside land at national level designed to help maximise its environmental benefits. At the same time, the countryside stewardship scheme includes provisions intended to enhance the conservation value of arable field margins and the Department is in discussion with interested parties on further means of enhancing the conservation value of arable land generally.
§ Mrs. GoldingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that land previously subject to the environmental conditions attached to set-aside land will be subject to the same conditions when it returns to cultivation. [36651]
§ Mr. BaldryMost of the environmental conditions that apply to the management of set-aside land would not be relevant in the context of cultivated land. However, during the set-aside period, farmers are required not to damage or destroy certain features on or adjacent to their set-aside land. The Government aim to lay regulations protecting important hedges, including those on agricultural land, by the end of the year.