§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has made to the EC to secure that agro-environmental schemes utilised by the EC are interlinked with the objectives laid out in the birds and habitats directives.
§ Mr. MacleanMy Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food worked together closely in pressing for the integration of agricultural and environmental objectives within the common agricultural policy during the recent reform negotiations. The reform package includes an agri-environment measure that requires all member states to operate programmes to encourage environmentally friend farming. The preamble to the agri-environment regulation—Council regulation EEC No. 2978/92—says that measures must contribute towards certain specific environmental goals set out in Community legislation, while article 4.5 provides a link between agri-environmental aid schemes and other Community provisions.