§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what extra provision, in terms of staff and resources, he is making for the Agricultural Development Advisory Service in order to meet the demands of the proposed farm woodland grant scheme.
§ Mr. Donald Thompson[holding answer 25 January 1988]: The demand for advice is hard to predict with a 176W new scheme of this sort, since it will depend upon the regional spread, the pattern of uptake during the year, the number of farmers who may wish to explore possibilities without necessarily joining the scheme, and the number who require more detailed advice. However, we shall be making available a number of ADAS advisers to deal with this work on a full or part-time basis and we shall be keeping the position under review in the light of demand for advice. The Forestry Commission is also allocating additional staff to the scheme.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what training is being given to Agricultural Development Advisory Service employees to deal with the proposed farm woodland grant scheme.
§ Mr. Donald Thompson[holding answer 25 January 1988]: ADAS employs more than 100 chartered surveyors who have a sound basic training in forestry and the related questions of conservation and amenity in woodlands. Of these, 24 have already received further specialist training in these subject areas. Beyond this, ADAS's policy of continuing professional development will help to ensure that the proficiency of these officers is subject to continued improvement.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food what consultation procedures will precede the payment of grants under the proposed farm woodland grant scheme; whether they will apply to all applications; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald Thompson[holding answer 25 January 1988]: Applications to join the farm woodland scheme will be subject to the prevailing consultation procedures operated by the Forestry Commission, for its forestry grant schemes. In drawing up the proposals for this scheme we have been concerned to try and simplify it as far as possible and to keep administrative costs to the minimum. To this end, we have decided to reduce the amount of consultation with local authorities on planting of small areas. However, in areas such as sites of special scientific interest, environmentally sensitive areas and national parks existing arrangements would continue to apply.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food how many Agricultural Development Advisory Service staff are presently employment to give specialist advice on the planting and management of farm woodland.
§ Mr. Donald Thompson[holding answer 25 January 1988]: None are employed purely for this purpose. In practice, ADAS staff who give advice on woodlands have a wide range of qualifications and spend differing proportions of their time on this work.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food what special consideration will be given to applications for grants under the proposed farm woodland grant scheme to farmers in environmentally sensitive areas, sites of special scientific interest, areas of outstanding natural beauty and national parks, respectively.
§ Mr. Donald Thompson[holding answer 25 January 1988]: In drawing up their applications for grant, farmers will be reminded of the need to take account of any such designations in the type of scheme they put forward. 177W Proposals in the above areas will then be scrutinised to ensure that they are compatible with the designation. They will also be subject to the Forestry Commission's consultation procedures where applicable.