§ Sir Kenneth CarlisleTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the wildlife trusts; what issues were raised; and if he will make a statement. [33020]
§ Mr. BoswellThe Minister met the wildlife trust in Lincolnshire on 10 June and visited various sites.
Issues raised included pesticides; soil erosion; set-aside; countryside stewardship; the common agricultural policy and the intergovernmental conference; farmland birds; and agri-environmental schemes.
In a subsequent interview with the "Natural World", the Minister was asked about reconciling food production with protection of the environment; CAP reform; biodiversity; the uplands; wildlife legislation; and the Government's achievements and aims for wildlife. He emphasised the considerable achievements of the expanded agri-environmental programme.