§ 36. Mr. PaiceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures have been undertaken since 1979 to improve the balance between farming and conservation.
§ Mr. GummerThe Government have introduced a wide range of measures since 1979 in order to improve the balance between farming and conservation. In particular, the agricultural improvements scheme has since 1985 encouraged farmers to invest in environmentally beneficial projects, 10 areas of England have been designated environmentally-sensitive areas following agreement in the Agriculture Council of Ministers to proposals first put forward by the United Kingdom, and the farm and countryside initiative provides work of benefit to the rural environment for the long-term unemployed under the community programme of the Manpower Services Commission.