HC Deb 20 December 1995 vol 268 cc1237-8W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Government will publish their consultation paper on the draft regulations to protect important hedgerows as provided for by section 97 of the Environment Act 1995; what is the delay in the production of hedgerow evaluation criteria by ADAS; and when he expects the final regulations to be implemented. [7075]

Mr. Clappison

The hedgerow evaluation criteria, which are being developed by ADAS under a research contract, will be an integral feature of the consultation paper on the draft regulations to protect important hedgerows. Production has been delayed by several factors associated with our aim to introduce a scheme which is fair, workable and practical. For example, additional effort was devoted to testing the criteria on a large number of hedgerows of different types. ADAS was asked to undertake more detailed analysis of the data that resulted from this field trial and survey. The consultation paper will be produced following publication of the ADAS research report. It remains our aim to introduce the hedgerow protection scheme by July 1996.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of hedgerow loss between January 1995 and January 1996. [7071]

Mr. Clappison

The results of the last hedgerows survey commissioned by the Department were announced by my right hon. Friend the Member for South Ribble (Mr. Atkins) on 21 July 1994. These indicated a net loss, as a result of both removal and change in management, of 18,100 km of hedges per year in England and Wales during 1990–93. No further research into hedgerow loss has been undertaken.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the original timetable for the production of hedgerow evaluation criteria by ADAS; what is now the timetable; and if he will make a statement. [7146]

Mr. Clappison

The original research contract was due to end on 8 August 1995. This has since been extended to 29 February 1996.