§ Mr. Tim SmithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to encourage farmers to plant trees as an alternative land use.
§ Mr. GummerWe propose to introduce a farm woodland scheme later this year following the passage of the Farm Land and Rural Development Bill and the necessary subordinate legislation.
In addition, the Community set-aside scheme, on which discussions are continuing in the Council of Ministers, is expected to include provision for land taken out of arable crop production to be used for woodland. The consultation document issued by the Agricultural Departments on 8 December 1987 contained suggestions as to how this option might be put into practice in the United Kingdom and linked with the new farm woodland scheme. I and my colleagues will wish to consider the matter further in the light of the Community's final decisions and of views expressed during our own consultation exercise.