§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she will take under the CAP reforms to ensure Exmoor gets grant aid for environmental projects. [71236]
§ Mr. MorleyThe European Commission's proposals for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy include ideas for the progressive transfer of resources away from production subsidies towards wider social and economic objectives. The proposals will be subject to negotiations in the Council of Ministers.
The Government supports the general direction of the reform proposals, but it is too early to say what the outcome will be in terms of extra grant aid for environmental projects. Exmoor is already designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Area, and is eligible for grants under the ESA scheme which are only available in the 10 per cent. of England that is so designated.