§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what education and information on land management is given to farmers participating in(a) the Farm Biodiversity Action Plan programme and (b) the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. [48543]
§ Mr. MorleyFarm Biodiversity Action Plans are provided commercially by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and are not implemented by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Education and information about the land management required under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme is provided to farmers through the comprehensive Scheme Handbook and through advice and visits by technical staff from DEFRA's Rural Development Service. Similar advice and guidance is also available from. FWAG and other partner organisations.
To ensure farmers achieve the environmental objectives of the Scheme, very detailed specifications for the different types of land management required are set out in Stewardship agreements.