§ Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms, having how many sheep, are eligible to participate in the Moorland Scheme; and how many farms having how many sheep have joined the Moorland Scheme. [29155]
§ Mr. RookerThe Moorland Scheme applies within the Less Favoured Areas, but excludes land in Environmentally Sensitive Areas. The total area in which the Scheme may apply is about 400,000 hectares. It is not possible to state how many farms are eligible to join the Scheme as this depends on meeting the specific eligibility rules. The Scheme is based on payment for the removal of ewes from eligible heather moorland to meet stocking limits. To date, scheme agreements are in place on 23 farms, involving a reduction of 6,361 sheep from moorland grazing units totalling some 9,300 hectares.