§ Mr. John GarrettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has plans to monitor the condition of environmentally sensitive areas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonWe are in the process of establishing a monitoring programme for environmentally sensitive areas. This will collect and analyse data on landscape, wildlife, historic features, farming practices and socio-economic developments. Our objective will be to assess the scheme's effects of these inter-related items. I hope to publish a first report, as required by section 18(8) of the Agriculture Act 1986, during the course of 1988.