Agri-environment Scheme

HC Deb 01 December 1998 vol 321 c136W

Ms Lawrence

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his plans are for the new Welsh agri-environment scheme, Tir Gofal. [62216]

Mr. Michael

I am submitting a formal application to the European Commission for approval by the Rural Structures Committee. This contains the technical details of the scheme and budget projections for the first five years.

In the light of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), I have made provision of £1.4 million in 1999–2000, £4 million in 2000–01 and £7 million in 2001–02. This allows for 600 new agreements each year at an average cost of just over £5,000 a year per agreement. Payments to farmers are expected to begin in 2000–01.