§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what length of hedgerow has been lost in Scotland in each year since 1979 [12486]
§ Mr. Raymond S. Robertson[holding answer 24 January 1997]: Hedgerows are not measured annually in Scotland, but the overall change in the length of hedgerows meeting specified conditions can be estimated from sample information produced from time to time under the national countryside monitoring scheme. Between 1973 and 1988, the latest date for which a survey was carried out, rather less than 400 km of hedgerows were "lost" each year, on average, in Scotland. Current Government policy is to encourage all farmers to protect their hedgerows, and incentives for the restoration of hedges are available through my Department's agri-environment programme.