§ Angela SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is taking to ensure payments for management agreements on sites of special scientific interest are directed towards conservation and enhancement of the special features of these sites. [152127]
Mr. Robert AinsworthTomorrow, together with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, we shall be issuing new guidance on management agreement payments in England to replace 725W that in DOE/MAFF Circular 4/83. English Nature will use the guidance to determine the amount of payment under a management agreement.
The guidance reflects the substantially strengthened powers to protect and manage SSSIs introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. It will emphasise the future priority for agreements to be directed at positive management designed to bring the special features of sites into favourable condition. It will also ensure that agreements are in line with the European Rural Development Regulation.
Copies of the Guidelines will be freely available and will be placed in the House Libraries.