HC Deb 04 February 1988 vol 126 cc725-6W
31. Mr. Hardy

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of present or proposed arrangements for the setting aside of arable land to be used for forestry to secure a sufficiently positive response.

Mr. MacGregor

In November we announced significant increases in the rates proposed for the annual payments under the farm woodland scheme which will now focus primarily on arable and improved land. The new rates were generally welcomed by interested parties.

I expect there to be provision for the planting of woodland in the Community set-aside scheme, on which discussions are continuing in the Council of Ministers. I and my colleagues will be considering the appropriate United Kingdom arrangements in the light of the Community's final decisions and of responses to the consultation document issued on 8 December.

59. Mr. Livsey

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the European Community cereal set-aside policy.

Mr. MacGregor

I have received a large number of representations, most of them in response to the consultation document on extensification issued on 8 December.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether agreement has been reached on the level of premium to compensate for the European Community scheme of setting land aside.

Mr. MacGregor

The consultation document issued by the Agricultural Departments on 8 December suggested a rate in the range of £150-£200 per hectare of cereals land set-aside. No decisions will be taken until current discussions on a wider set-aside scheme in the Council of Agriculture Ministers reach a conclusion and I have considered with my colleagues the views expressed to us on this and other features of the scheme.