§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what monitoring he is undertaking of the benefits from set-aside for(a) diverse plant species, (b) butterflies and other invertebrates, (c) short-eared 274W owls, hen harriers and other predatory birds and (d) foxes and other wild mammals; and when he expects to complete a proper scientific evaluation of the effect of set-aside on wildlife.
§ Mr. CurryThe Department is currently undertaking work on the environmental impact of set-aside, including a study of the changes in the botanical composition of fallowed set-aside land. Final results are expected in 1994. The study will also provide some information about the likely implications for wildlife and will be supported by a separate study of rabbit numbers on set-aside land.
We are considering the scope for further research into the benefits to wildlife and a number of other organisations are carrying out relevant work in this area. However the complex range of factors affecting wildlife populations and the need to measure changes over time, mean that a full scientific evaluation cannot be completed in the immediate future.