§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many farmers are currently eligible for admission to the countryside premium scheme; how many are actively enrolled in the scheme; what is the current cost of the scheme; and what percentage of the total amount is reimbursed from CAP funds.
§ Mr. BaldryAll farmers in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Suffolk entering permanent fallow land into MAFF's set aside scheme are eligible for admission to the countryside premium scheme. Land set aside for rotational fallow, grazed fallow or non-agricultural use may also be eligible in certain circumstances. There are currently about 850 farmers in the seven counties with set-aside land in these eligible categories.
To date, the Countryside Commission has made agreements under the countryside premium scheme with 160 farmers and, in 1991–92, expenditure is expected to be £750,000. The scheme is not currently eligible for reimbursement from CAP funds.