§ Mr. Hardyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the maximum density of hill sheep permitted before a cut-off point is reached under the hill livestock compensatory allowance scheme; and what recommendations are made by his offices to ensure that natural or semi-natural vegetation is maintained.
§ Mr. MacGregorHill livestock compensatory allowances are paid up to maximum of six ewes per hectare of eligible land or (if it is lower) on the number of ewes which the appropriate Agriculture Minister considers the land on which the flock has been substantially grazed to be capable of carrying without overgrazing.
There are no provisions in the regulations specifically relating the payment of allowances to the maintenance of vegetation, but as I have indicated there are powers to discourage over-grazing.