§ Mr. MossTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what are his plans for implementing the EC Agri-Environment Regulation (2078/92); and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to his reply, Official Report, 26 March 1993, columns 729–30]: I am today issuing for public consultation proposals for the introduction of up to 30 new nitrate sensitive areas forming the seventh and final element of my proposals for implementing the EC Agri-Environment Regulation in England.
The new scheme will build upon and extend the NSA approach introduced by the pilot nitrate scheme in 1990. It will encourage changes in farming practices which are 405W designed to reduce nitrate leaching losses. The scheme will be targeted on areas around boreholes where such changes will help protect groundwater sources affected by rising nitrate levels.
The areas have been selected on the basis of advice from the National Rivers Authority taking a wide range of criteria into account. My officials will be consulting locally later this year on the boundaries of each of the proposed new NSAs.
Detailed arrangements for the new scheme will be finalised after the results of the consultation have been analysed. It is envisaged, however, that it will open for applications in the first half of 1994.
I am making copies of the consultation document available in the Library of the House.