§ Mr. Barry Jones asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will outline his policy concerning the effect of the European Economic Community common agricultural policy on the more extensive systems for poorer land; and if he has considered alternative crops and systems for the less productive areas of the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. Fenner[pursuant to her reply, 13 December 1985]: Our policy for the areas of poorer land in the United Kingdom is to take full advantage of the provisions of EC Directive 75/268 on farming in less favoured areas. Accordingly, we secured agreement in Brussels last year to a major extension of these areas which now represent over 50 per cent. of our agricultural land. For many years we have paid headage allowances in them and on 28 November my right hon. Friend the Minister announced an increase in the rates. Within the constraints of the common agricultural policy we are continually seeking ways of assisting these areas. But most of them are riot basically suitable for any form of agricultural production except livestock rearing. It is partly with this in mind that in the new agricultural improvement scheme, introduced on 1 October, we included certain new features to encourage conservationally sensitive investments and diversification.