§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking in order to implement those aspects of the new EC habitats directive which require the avoidance of deterioration of habitats in the wider countryside; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanI have been asked to reply.
There are a number of initiatives which will help meet our obligations under the EC habitats directive regarding the wider countryside. These include the establishment of environmentally sensitive areas, the hedgerow incentive scheme, the Hedgerow Protection Bill proposed by my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, East (Mr. Ainsworth) which the Government are supporting, the countryside stewardship scheme and English Nature's wildlife enhancement and reserves enhancement schemes, and the development of guidance on the preparation of indicative foresty strategies. The Government have in place a number of measures to reduce agricultural pollution, such as new farm waste storage regulations and codes of good agricultural practice for the protection of water and air. The EC agri-environment regulation, agreed in May as part of the reforms to the CAP, provides scope for a range of new schemes.
My right hon. and learned Friend expects to consult on the proposals to implement the directive in the next few months.