§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to make use of the provision under Article 13(b) of the EU Rural Development Regulation to introduce schemes of management for areas where environmental restrictions apply; and if he will make a statement. [116314]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Government's proposed use of measures available under the EU Rural Development Regulation (EC) No. 1257/1999 is set out in the rural development plans for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland which have been submitted to the European Commission for approval. Those plans do not include use of Article 13(b) compensation payments for observing European Community environmental restrictions because the Government's policy is to encourage a positive approach to environmental458W management through agri-environment measures under Article 22. In England, these include the Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Areas Schemes.