Wild Bird Cover Set-Aside Option (Hansard, 14 June 1996)

HL Deb 14 June 1996 vol 572 c186WA 186WA

§ Earl Peel
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the benefits of the wild bird cover option within the flexible set-aside scheme have been sufficient to ensure the continuation of the option despite any general reduction in set-aside.

Lord Lucas
It is anticipated that the wild bird cover set-aside option will remain available to farmers in 1997 in the event of a further reduction in the obligatory rate of set-aside. While uptake so far has been good, it will be for farmers to decide whether to continue to use the option.