§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of hedgerows have been removed and how many miles planted(a) since 1 January 1960 and (b) since 1979.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryVarious estimates have been made for past periods but none covers precisely the periods to which my hon. Friend refers.
870WA survey of landscape change in England and Wales carried out for my Department and the Countryside Commission in 1986 by Huntings Survey and Consultants Limited showed annual losses in England and Wales of some 2,600 miles of hedgerow between 1947 and 1969, 2,900 miles between 1969 and 1980, and 4,000 miles between 1980 and 1985. A postal survey of farmers on environmental topics carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 1985 however showed annual losses of 500 miles between 1980 and 1985. The two surveys used different methodologies and neither can be regarded as definitive.
Since 1973 grants have been available to farmers for planting of new hedgerows and for hedgerow laying. In the two years 1987 and 1988, grant was paid for the equivalent of almost 1,200 miles of new hedge planting.
Work is continuing to improve information both on the rate of removal and on the extent of new planting.
§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had, and with whom, on the introduction of landscape conservation orders as a means of preserving hedgerows.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryNo such discussions have taken place.