HC Deb 19 January 1989 vol 145 c316W
57. Mr. Charles Wardle

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will indicate what the initial reaction of farmers has been to the farm woodland scheme; and whether he expects his Department's uptake targets to be met.

Mr. Ryder

There has been a good level of interest shown by farmers in the farm woodland scheme. However, the scheme only opened on 1 October 1988 and it is too early to say whether the maximum total areas for planting over the three-year experimental period will be reached. My right hon. Friend will be issuing more details on the pattern of uptake later this month.