§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many miles of hedgerows have been reinstated in the last four years; how many miles of hedgerows have been removed in each region; and at what cost in subsidy to public funds. [9606]
§ Mr. ClappisonI have been asked to reply.
Financial support for hedgerow restoration and planting is mainly provided through the Countryside Commission's countryside stewardship scheme, which incorporates the hedgerow incentive scheme, and MAFF's farm and conservation grant scheme.
The information requested in relation to countryside stewardship is set out in the table:
625W
Agreement year (1 October–30 September) Length of hedgerow planted/reinstated (approximately) Expenditure (approximately) £ 1992–93 142 miles (229 km) 410,169 1993–94 279 miles (449 km) 802,350 1994–95 487 miles (784 km) 1,522,087 1995–96 468 miles (754 km) 1,354,818
Comparable information in respect of the Farm and Conservation Grant Scheme is as follows: Financial year Length of hedgerow planted/reinstated approximately Expenditure approximately £ 1991–92 450 miles (735 km) 1,469,744 1992–93 570 miles (920 km) 1,839,446 1993–94 710 miles (1,146 km) 2,292,570 1994–95 530 miles (855 km) 1,709,479 Neither scheme provides assistance towards hedgerow removal.