§ Mr. Andrew WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will allow fibre-producing or other animals to be added to existing set-aside scheme provision in Scotland.
Member State Number of applications (1988–89) Area to be set aside (hectares) Proportion of set-aside area as percentage of Average set-aside per applicant (hectares) Arable land Area in cereals Belgium 32 329 1— 1— 10.2 France 1,002 15,707 1— 0.1 15.6 Greece n/a Ireland 77 1,310 0.1 0.3 17.0 Italy 29,301 2155,606 1.8 3.1 16.7 Netherlands 195 2,621 0.3 1.3 13.4 Spain 518 34,229 0.3 0.4 66.1 West Germany 25,289 169,729 2.4 3.6 6.7 United Kingdom 1,750 54,779 0.9 1.3 31.3 Totals 38,164 434,310 0.9 1.3 11.3 1 Lower than 0.1 per cent. 2 Provisional figures. The scheme was not applied in Denmark or Luxembourg in the 1988–89 agricultural season; and Portugal is exempt.
§ Mr. Andrew WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies he has commissioned on set-aside and what plans he has to review existing provisions.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe North of Scotland College of Agriculture has been commissioned to carry out a study to evaluate the uptake and economic impact of the set-aside scheme, as part of a United Kingdom-wide study. This will involve on-farm interviews of a sample of participating farmers. Consideration is currently being given to the need for any further research into the agronomic and environmental impact of the scheme, over and above projects already being undertaken by the Scottish agricultural college.
The provisions of the scheme are already under close review, in the light of experience gained during the first year of its operation. My right hon. and learned Friend will in due course consider, with the other agriculture Ministers, whether any changes in the scheme rules are warranted.