§ Mr. McNultyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about closure of the Countryside Access Scheme. [89849]
§ Mr. MorleyI am announcing today that the Countryside Access Scheme will be closed to new applications. This pilot agri-environment scheme provided public access to set aside land. Public access to farmland will continue to be available under the Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Areas schemes, which provide more comprehensive incentives for farmers to provide access.
All existing CAS agreements will continue until the end of their five year terms. At the expiry of their agreements, farmers will be offered the opportunity to apply for agreements under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Those which provide good quality opportunities for public access will be offered agreements.