§ 25. Mr. Lordasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to assist farmers with the establishment and management of broadleaved woodland, and with the marketing of the timber produced; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe Government have taken a number of steps to encourage broadleaved woodland.
As well as continuing the higher rates of forestry grant for the broadleaf content in mixed woodland, we introduced the broadleaved woodland grant scheme in 1985 which provides for even greater incentives for the planting and regeneration of broadleaved trees on their own. Our farm woodland scheme., put out to consultation last week, will also give special encouragement to broadleaved trees.
In addition, we are contributing funds to experimental projects designed to encourage farmers to develop a self-financing woodland management cycle, in some cases by bringing existing broadleaved woodland back into productive use and by co-ordinating marketing of the timber produced.
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§ 63. Mr. Colvinasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now in a position to give further details of his proposals to provide for annual payments for farm forestry schemes.
§ Mr. JoplingA consultation document on the farm woodland scheme was included in the "Farming and Rural Enterprise" package we published last week. Copies are available in the Vote Office.
§ 30. Mr. Pollockasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now in a position to announce his detailed plans on farm forestry.
§ Mr. JoplingA consultation document on the farm woodland scheme as included in the "Farming and Rural Enterprise" package we published last week. Copies are available in the Vote Office