HC Deb 16 July 1996 vol 281 c513W
Mr. Spearing

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals or representations he has received from interested environmental organisations within the United Kingdom concerning modifications to the existing set-aside arrangements of the European Community which have the object of conserving beneficial wildlife at minimal or no additional cost to the scheme; and what actions he or other Government representatives have taken consequent to their receipt. [37344]

Mr. Baldry

Following consultations with fanning and conservation organisations earlier this year, changes to the set-aside rules were announced in April aimed at benefiting wildlife, particularly ground-nesting birds. The principle changes announced were:

  1. (i) a relaxation in the areas of set-aside which may be left uncut; and
  2. (ii) from 1997, a ban on cutting set-aside between 15 April and 1 July when a non-selective herbicide has been used, and a ban on cultivating set-aside land before 1 July.

We have also pressed the European Commission to allow narrower strips of land to count as set-aside to enhance conservation in field margins.