§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies his Department has collated on the impact of stocking sheep on unenclosed upland areas and the related changes in the character of their soils, with reference to(a) water absorbency, (b) percolation evapotranspiration and (c) run-off including measurements of variation of run-off by streams and rivers. [139973]
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§ Mr. MorleySince 1991 the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has undertaken some 23 studies worth about £5 million on the impact of sheep on upland vegetation. We are currently awaiting the report of a research project to quantify and identify the causes of upland erosion. In addition, surveys have been carried out on six Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Exmoor, Lake District, North Peak, South West Peak, Dartmoor and Shropshire Hills) to quantify the level of grazing pressure (almost entirely due to sheep) on heather.
The Government recognise that overgrazing sheep can contribute to soil erosion in upland areas and are committed to actions to reduce its impact. Conditions to control overgrazing are imposed on recipients of cattle and sheep premiums and Hill Livestock Compensatory allowances as well as new entrants to agri-environmental schemes under the England Rural Development Plan. The Government have reinforced this message in the MAFF Code of Good Agricultural Practice to Protect Soil.