§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy on the grazing of moorlands by domestic livestock. [38566]
§ Mr. MacdonaldThe Government's policy is to limit damage to moorlands from any overgrazing by livestock which attract headage payments. Our agri-environment
460Wschemes provide for enhancement of the moorland environment by a range of measures including stock removal where appropriate.
§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of potential overgrazing of heath and heather vegetation in the LFA were investigated by the Agriculture Department in each of the last three years; and how many of these investigations resulted in the withholding of(a) some and (b) all of the livestock headage payments made to the farmers involved. [38560]
§ Mr. MacdonaldTwelve cases of alleged overgrazing have been investigated in the last three years. Most of these have been resolved by agreement with the producer. There have been no instances so far where it has been necessary to restrict livestock headage payments.
§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the environmental conditions attached to the receipt of livestock headage payments 461W made through (a) hill livestock compensatory allowances, (b) sheep annual premiums, (c) suckler cow premiums and (d) beef special premiums to prevent overgrazing. [38561]
§ Mr. MacdonaldSubsidy payments under these schemes are conditional on the stock being managed so as to prevent damage through overgrazing and semi-natural vegetation.