§ Mr. Nicholas BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his reply of 24 November to the hon. Member for St. Ives, (Mr. Harris),Official Report, columns 9–10, what action the Government propose to take to designate areas sensitive of nitrate leaching.
§ Mr. MacGregorAfter further careful consideration, the Government have reached broad conclusions on the type of agricultural measures which could be introduced in nitrate-sensitive areas. These will now be the subject of extensive consultations with farming, water and other interests. We have also decided that the first designated zones should represent a pilot sample of different types of areas in which a range of agricultural measures can be tested.
It remains the Government's policy that, wherever possible, any agricultural restrictions should be on a voluntary basis, with compulsory powers available as a fallback. Where farmers are obliged to restrict their agricultural activities beyond the degree which could be regarded as good agricultural practice, they should be compensated. Under currently foreseeable circumstances the costs of compensation would be offset by CAP support savings resulting from reduced agricultural production. As part of their approach, the Government will be mounting an intensive advisory campaign in selected key areas. This will involve visits to individual farmers on specific aspects of good agricultural practice.
It will be necessary to amend the current provisions in the Water Bill to provide appropriate powers, and the Government will shortly be tabling amendments. We will also be examining carefully the European Commission proposal for a directive on nitrate pollution of water but, in view of the importance the Government attach to this issue, we are anxious to press ahead with pilot schemes.