§ Mr. Ryderasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statment on the proposal for an experimental scheme to support livestock grazing in the Broads area.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinYes. I am pleased to announce that approval in principle has now been given for a three-year experimental scheme in the Broads to be operated by the Countryside Commission, in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, under which payments will be made to farmers and landowners who agree to keep their land in grazing use. The scheme will be introduced in time for the 1985 grazing season. I have already announced, on 27 November 1984, at column 793, an addition of £2 million to the Countryside Commission's grant-in-aid for 1985–86, part of which will be available to finance half the costs of the scheme. The remaining half will he met by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
I believe that this proposal presents an excellent opportunity to integrate the interests of agriculture and conservation in the Broads area and should prove a flexible and effective means towards safeguarding this nationally important and unique landscape.