§ Mr. OnslowTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to encourage farmers to apply for exemption from 1 July cutting requirements on rotational set-aside land; what assessment he has made of the environmental damage which this requirement will otherwise cause; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryIt is open to any farmer to apply for an exemption from any of the set-aside management rules, including the cutting requirement, on environmental grounds. The arable area payments scheme explanatory booklet explains how to do this. The booklet also gives general advice on how to manage set-aside land to achieve environmental benefits.
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on restrictions on the spraying of chemicals to reduce noxious weeds on set-aside land in the United Kingdom; and in particular whether similar restrictions are imposed upon farmers in other EC countries.
§ Mr. CurryThe management rules for 1992–93 allow the application of non-residual herbicides by spot treatment or with a wick applicator on set-aside land. Any farmer can also seek permission to apply herbicides by other methods in order to control severe infestations of weeds. The management rules in other member states vary. Most include restrictions or a complete ban on the use of herbicides on set-aside land.