§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the outcome of the consultation on proposed changes to the farm woodland premium scheme; and what conclusions have been reached on payment rates. [9216]
§ Mr. BaldryA wide range of organisations were consulted on the proposed changes to the FWPS announced to Parliament on 24 July,Official Report, column 624. Most organisations welcomed the proposed changes though there were a number of different, often conflicting views. In light of the consultation we will be making some minor modifications to our original proposals and a statutory instrument will be laid before Parliament early next year. Subject to approval by Parliament and the European Commission, it is intended that most of the proposals will be implemented with effect from 1 April 1997. A list of the changes is being placed in the Library of the House.
The rates of payment to apply from 1 April 1996 will be as follows:
300W
FWPS £/hectare/year FWS £/hectare/year Land eligible for Arable Area payments Outside of the Less Favoured Areas 300 230 Disadvantaged Areas of the Less Favoured Areas (DA) 230 180 Severely Disadvantaged Areas of the Less Favoured Areas (SDA) 160 120 Other Cropped Land and Improved Grassland Outside of the Less Favoured Areas 260 200 DA 200 160 SDA 140 110
FWPS £/hectare/year FWS £/hectare/year Unimproved Land Less Favoured Areas 60 30 Where land is to count against the farmer's set-aside obligation, the payment rate will be restricted to the set-aside rate.
The FWS was closed to new applicants in 1992.