§ 18. Mr. HopeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to increase the area of farmed land subject to countryside stewardship agreements.[137151]
§ Mr. MorleyMy right hon. Friend the Minister announced a substantial increase in the Countryside Stewardship budget last December. As part of the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP), £500 million is being allocated to the Scheme over the next seven years. During this period, MAFF aims to add 525,000 hectares of land to the 210,000 hectares already covered by the Scheme.
§ Mrs. DeanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to increase expenditure on the Countryside Stewardship scheme. [137131]
§ Mr. MorleyOur plans for a major expansion of the Stewardship budget are well known. As part of the England Rural Development Programme, £500 million is being allocated to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme over the next seven years to 2006–07. This means that there will be around £16 million available each year for new agreements and we will be able to offer more than double the number of agreements offered in previous years.