§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take in the light of the discussion paper, "Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy: New Opportunities for Wildlife and the Environment", recently published by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gummer[holding answer 19 July 1988]: I welcome this discussion paper which is the latest in a series published by bodies interested in the welfare of the 577W countryside. I am pleased to note that in the foreword to the paper the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds recognises the important role of farmers as custodians of the countryside and the problems they face. I shall be studying the proposals in the paper and look forward to seeing the policy statement on agriculture which the society intends to issue next year in the light of comments on its discussion paper.