§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to increase the contribution that set-aside land makes to butterfly and moth conservation. [9296]
§ Mr. Boswell[holding answer 17 January 1996]: The management rules for set-aside land, which have been drawn up in close consultation with environmental organisations, allow farmers considerable scope to manage their land in ways which safeguard the environment and provide benefits to wildlife. We offer free conservation advice to individual farmers on the management of set-aside, including ways of improving the habitat for butterflies and moths. We are currently sponsoring two Agricultural Development Advisory Service projects in which, among other things, the populations of butterflies on set-aside land are being studied. These projects aim to demonstrate how set-aside can be managed for the benefit of plants and wildlife, including butterflies and moths.