§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will revise the regulatory arrangements to make farmers who are not engaged in full-time agricultural activity or farmers wishing to retire to take up support under the farm woodland premium scheme. [17212]
§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonUnder the existing statutory rules, entry to the farm woodland premium scheme is not restricted to full-time farmers, although retired farmers are ineligible. The scheme is currently being reviewed to enable decisions to be taken about its future operation after 31 March 1997. The eligibility rules 695W are among the various issues under consideration. It is too early to predict the outcome of the review but an announcement is expected during the summer.