§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why, in the light of the new duty placed on the Minister of Agriculture by Clause 12 of the Agriculture Bill to achieve a reasonable balance between an efficient agricultural industry, the economic and social interests of rural areas, conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the countryside and the promotion of the enjoyment of the countryside, they have to appointed any individuals with particular expertise in the social, economic, conservation, amenity or access issues connected with agricultural policy in less favoured areas when making appointments to the Hill Farming Advisory Committee for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the sub-committee for Wales.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)Clause 12 of the Agriculture Bill will, when enacted, provide statutory backing for what agriculture Ministers are already doing in seeking to integrate wider environmental, social and economic objectives into agricultural policy. In keeping with this existing approach the membership of the Hill Farming Advisory Committee for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and its sub-committee for Wales already embraces a considerable range of expertise and experience in these broader areas, as well as covering practical involvement in hill farming.