Countryside Stewardship Scheme

HC Deb 05 December 2001 vol 376 cc406-7W

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the qualifying criteria are for the countryside stewardship scheme; and what assessment she has made of the practicability of the conditions of the scheme with reference to (a) grazing levels and sward height, (b) winter housing of bovine livestock and (c) use of outdoor cattle feeders in winter. [201351

Alun Michael

The principal qualifying criteria for the countryside stewardship scheme are:

1. (a) meeting the scheme's objectives for landscape, wildlife, history and amenity;
2. (b) meeting the national and regional environmental priorities of the England Rural Development Programme;
3. (c) being within one of the scheme's county target areas; and
4. (d) representing good value for money.

Depending on the scheme options involved, most stewardship agreements include detailed requirements for reduced grazing levels and sward height, and the need to prevent poaching caused by, for instance, the use of outdoor cattle feeders in winter. Full account is taken of individual circumstances when setting these requirements.

The winter housing of bovine livestock is a farm animal welfare issue and not dealt with by the scheme.