§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to use the United Kingdom Presidency to widen the choice available to farmers required to join rotational set-aside in order to receive compensation aids for cereals so that farmers who have already set aside land under the farm woodland premium scheme or countryside stewardship are also eligible.
§ Mr. CurryWe have already successfully negotiated arrangements under which we will be able to have non-rotational as well as rotational set-aside. This will increase the range of management options open to farmers under the new arable regime. Under the set-aside, land must normally be taken out of agricultural production in contrast to countryside stewardship which encouraged continued agricultural production in a way that enhances the environment.
Very few farmers have yet planted land with trees under the farm woodland premium scheme. We are exploring with the EC Commission the scope for set-aside land that has been planted with trees under the old farm woodland scheme or land that will be entered into the farm woodland premium scheme to count towards a farmers set-aside obligation under the new arable scheme. However, it would not be right to allow any element of double payment on that land.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library a copy of his study of the evaluation of set-aside conducted by the university of Reading.
§ Mr. GummerIn accordance with my usual policy, I gave an undertaking to publish this report. This will be fulfilled once the final report is ready, and a copy will be placed in the Library.