§ Earl Peelasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Whitty on 17 December (WA 18–19), whether they are aware of the Strutt and Parker report which suggests that the financial remuneration offered to farmers entering either the Arable Green Margin Scheme or the Arable Reversion Scheme fails to meet the costs incurred. [HL2471]
§ Lord WhittyThe noble Earl has sent me a report by Strutt and Parker that relates to three individual Countryside Stewardship agreements. The payment rates that we set within the scheme for annual management options, including field margins and arable reversion, are designed to reflect the average income foregone for these items on a national basis. As every farm is different, it is inevitable that the rates for any given option will be more attractive to some individuals than others, but of course applicants can choose whether or not to enter land into that particular option. I am pleased to say that demand for the scheme, including field margins and arable reversion, continues to be high.