§ Sir Charles MorrisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to introduce top-up payments for farmers who have entered land into the set-aside scheme and undertaken to bring about environmental improvements on that land.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyMy right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have been considering, with the Countryside Commission and the Nature Conservancy Council, the possibility of making additional payments to farmers who undertake to manage their set-aside land in a way that produces specified benefits for the environment.
The set-aside scheme already carries with it conditions to ensure that fallow land is kept in good condition and that hedges are maintained. In addition, guidance has been issued suggesting to farmers how they can best manage fallow land in the interests of the landscape and wildlife. However, in order to assist farmers in cases where particular forms of management impose significant extra costs going beyond the basic conditions of the scheme, we have decided to introduce a system of additional incentives.
Under the scheme farmers will be invited to adopt one or more specified management practices which will, for example, increase the nature conservation or landscape value of the land or provide access or other recreational opportunities. Adoption of these practices will attract payment in addition to the rates offered under the set-aside scheme. The incentives will vary according to the nature of the management involved.
The top-up scheme will, at any rate initially, be targeted to certain parts of England where scope for environmental improvement seems greatest. It will be run by the Countryside Commission, with the assistance of the Nature Conservancy Council and in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture. Payments will be made at the discretion of the commission.
Further details of the scheme, including its geographi-cal coverage are now being worked out and will be announced in due course.