HC Deb 23 May 1980 vol 985 cc477-8W
Mr. Best

asked the Secretary of State for Wales which areas of Wales do not have less favoured area status for the purposes of the sheep farming industry; and what proposals exist for further extending less favoured area status.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

Of the total land area of Wales approximately 1,134,000 hectares—55 per cent—are currently within the less favoured areas.

County lists showing parishes and part-parishes of Wales which are included in the less favoured areas are set out in directive 75/276 EEC of 28 April 1975, which was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities dated 19 May 1975. A copy of the publication is available in the Library of the House.

As announced by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 15 May 1980, the survey of marginal land outside the hill line is progressing as quickly as limited staff resources will allow.—[Vol. 984 c. 622.]