HC Deb 12 June 1986 vol 99 cc280-1W
29. Sir Hector Monro

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance is available to farmers in environmentally sensitive areas; and if he will make a statement.

33. Mr. McWilliam

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has reached a decision on the rate of grant to be payable in environmentally sensitive areas.

Mr. Jopling

In environmentally sensitive areas farmers will be offered incentive payments in return for entering agreements to farm in an environmentally beneficial manner. The levels of payment have not yet been determined. We are currently studying recommendations from the Countryside Commission and Nature Conservancy Council on 14 short-listed sites in England and Wales.

36. Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the first payments of grant to be made in environmentally sensitive areas.

Mr. Jopling

I would expect the first payments to be made during 1987. The precise date will depend upon the timing of environmentally sensitive area designations and on the terms of environmentally sensitive area agreements.