Set-aside Scheme (Hansard, 7 July 1988)

§ 56. Mr. McCartney
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he estimates to be the area of land within the less-favoured areas eligible to apply for grants under his recently announced set-aside scheme.

§ Mr. MacGregor
An area within less favoured areas in the United Kingdom amounting to about 450,000 hectares is eligible for set-aside provided it meets the requirements of the scheme.

§ 80. Mr. Win Griffiths
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about progress on the implementation of the set-aside scheme in the United Kingdom.

§ Mr. MacGregor
The necessary statutory instrument has now been laid in draft. The scheme will start to operate as soon as parliamentary approval has been given.

§ 85. Mr. Colin Shepherd
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to ensure that the set-aside proposals will have no adverse effect on farmers whose principal activity is in the sheep sector; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. MacGregor
It was precisely with the objective of avoiding adverse effects on sheep producers that I decided against taking up the option of permitting extensive grazing under the set-aside scheme.

§ Mr. Hunter
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on research into the implications for the environment of his recently announced set-aside scheme.

§ Mr. MacGregor
I attach considerable importance to establishing the impact of the set-aside scheme on the environment. Two scientific research projects are already being undertaken to this end.