§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what progress has been made by the Welsh Office Agricultural Department in addressing cases of overgrazing in Wales identified by(a) wildlife trusts and (b) others; [17245]
(2) if he will make a statement on the effects of large-scale overgrazing in the Welsh uplands on biodiversity in Wales, indicating the evidence which underlies his assessment. [17244]
§ Mr. HagueMy Department's policy is to seek to enforce the overgrazing conditions which attach to the payment of livestock production subsidies. These conditions are intended to prevent land being grazed with too many livestock so that the growth, quality or diversity of the vegetation is adversely affected. Late last year all producers claiming sheep and beef production subsidies were sent a copy of a booklet, "Your Livestock and Your Landscape", which describes how to recognise and deal with overgrazing and inappropriate supplementary feeding. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library.
ADAS is currently considering a number of potential overgrazing cases which my Department has referred to it for technical advice before deciding how to proceed. In considering the handling of such cases, the representations of wildlife trusts and others are taken into account.