HC Deb 30 November 1987 vol 123 cc409-10W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he hopes to introduce a second series of environmentally sensitive areas.

Mr. Gummer

I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Forth).

Mr. Forth

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the designation of environmentally sensitive areas.

Mr. MacGregor

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have today laid before Parliament eight orders designating the next set of environmentally sensitive areas. The new areas are Breckland, the Lleyn Peninsula, the North peak, Shropshire borders, seven Suffolk river valleys and the Test valley. The orders also extend the existing environmentally sensitive areas in the Cambrian mountains and the south downs.

In drawing up these orders we have been guided by a wealth of advice from environmental, farming and other bodies. I should like to express our appreciation of the assistance we received. The favourable response which farmers have given to the first set of environmentally sensitive areas encourages us to hope that these new orders will play an important part in reconciling the demands of agriculture and conservation in some of the country's most beautiful regions. We look forward to inviting applications from farmers from January next year.

We are also providing Parliament with maps showing the boundaries of the areas. The orders themselves set out the management prescriptions and rates of payment. As in the earlier areas, farmers who wish to participate will be invited to do so for an initial period of five years.