§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will press for a change to the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) rules whereby all the area of a field margin over 2 metres from the centre line of the hedge has to be deducted from the field area so that only the excess over and above 2 metres is deducted; and [HL1730]
Why they consider the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food should remain the lead partner in its biodiversity action plan when so many hedges are under threat as a result of the revised Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) guidelines on field margins; and [HL1731]
Why, as a result of the revised Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) guidelines on field margins, farmers are not to be compensated by higher area payments; and [HL1732]
Whether they consider it is right that the revised Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) guidelines on field margins should impact retrospectively on farmers who had planted their winter crops before they knew of the guidelines and their significance; and [HL1733]
When Agriculture Ministers are next due to meet to discuss the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) guidelines on field margins following the Government's representation to the European Commission. [HL1734]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Hayman)My right honourable friend the Minister has reached agreement with the EU Agriculture Commissioner, Franz Fischler, that the United Kingdom should, for this year, apply the same criteria as were used in 1999 and earlier years for determining the acceptability of hedges and other field margins included in claims based on whole Ordnance Survey field areas under the Integrated Administration and Control System. For 2001 and subsequent years, MAFF will work with the Commission in order to clarify what types of margins are acceptable for inclusion in aid claims and to identify ways of safeguarding environmentally valuable hedges, so that we can reach a permanent resolution of this issue.