§ Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what funds are avalable through grants and other forms of Government assistance to 298W farmers for the purpose of encouraging the planting of trees; and how much has been paid out in the last five years.
§ Mr. StrangGrants for providing, replacing or improving shelter belts or shelter hedges have been available to farmers from my Department under the Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme since 1st January 1974; the Farm Capital Grant Scheme between 1st January 1971 and 31st March 1972; the Farm Capital Grant Scheme, but in hill areas only since 1st April 1972; the Horticulture Capital Grant Scheme since 1st January 1974.
The total amount of grant paid in England and Wales under all these schemes for shelter belts for the last five financial years was approximately £260,000.
Grants for forestry planting are available to woodland owners, who may also be farmers, from the Forestry Commission under its current Dedication Basis III Scheme and there are continuing grant commitments under its earlier schemes. The total amount of grant paid in Great Britain under these schemes for the same period was approximately £10 million. Grants are also available to farmers and others from the Countryside Commission for amenity tree planting in the countryside. Figures for payments in the last five years are not readily available.