§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his assessment of the damage done to upland landscapes and wildlife caused by overgrazing; and if he will reconsider switching payment of grants to farmers to the area of land farmed rather than the number of sheep.
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§ Mr. CurryConservation of the traditional upland environment is dependent upon the continuation of extensive livestock farming. Overgrazing of certain types of land can however result in localised environmental damage. The Government have announced a series of targeted measures to deal with this. A switch to paying hill livestock subsidies on an area basis would be hugely disruptive with an uncertain impact on the environment. It would also be contrary to European Community law.