§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers operate within the boundaries of the Broads grazing marshes conservation scheme; and how many are currently participating in the financial arrangements under the scheme.
§ Mrs. FennerThe system of land tenure within the area covered by the Broads grazing marshes conservation 485W scheme is complex, with much of the land being the subject of annual grazing lets. For this reason, we do not know the precise number of farmers operating within the scheme area.
Only landowners and full tenants are eligible to participate in the scheme. Of these, 102 did so in 1985. They accounted for a land area of 3,402 hectares, or about 85 per cent., of the grassland area within the scheme's boundaries. A further 221.6 hectares of grassland is protected either by short-term holding agreements with the Broads authority, or by virtue of its having been purchased by a conservation body. Taking this into account, over 90 per cent. of the grassland area within the scheme's boundaries is protected.