§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their definition of "traditional," "non-commercial" and "commercial" orchards. [HL4019]
§ Lord WhittyThere are no formal definitions of these terms.
The countryside stewardship scheme provides assistance for the conservation and maintenance of old "traditional" orchards, the wildlife and cultural value of which might generally be lost without intervention. The majority of such orchards are small and contain fewer than 150 trees per hectare.
Commercial orchards are those which are maintained primarily to produce fruit for sale. Non-commercial orchards are those which are maintained for other reasons; for example, for their amenity value.
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§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will press for the inclusion of (a) all orchards, and (b) all top fruit in the single farm payment at the time of the 2007 review. [HL4021]
§ Lord WhittyTo date, discussions with the European Commission have focused on the introduction of the single payment scheme in 2005. Discussions on the 2007 review of the horticultural "authorisations" system are likely to take place once experience has been gained in running the scheme. That review may cover the future eligibility of land under orchards to attract single payment entitlements but this cannot be guaranteed at this stage. The UK's negotiating line on the review will be formed nearer the time after consultation with all interested stakeholders.
§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will consider using the national reserve to make payments to commercial orchard growers. [HL4023]
§ Lord WhittyThe detailed operation of the national reserve is still being finalised, following the public consultation which ended on 25 June. We are considering the responses received, including representations concerning the position of commercial apple growers, and we will make an announcement on the decisions as soon as possible.
§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the current rules applied to those entering stewardship schemes, in particular for traditional orchard growers, will be continued; or whether those applying under the entry scheme will have more stringent requirements placed upon them. [HL4024]
§ Lord WhittyEnvironmental stewardship will be launched in England in 2005 to replace the existing agri-environment schemes (environmentally sensitive areas countryside stewardship and organic farming schemes). Environmental stewardship has three elements: entry level stewardship (ELS), organic entry level stewardship and higher level stewardship.
There are no specific options for traditional orchards in entry level stewardship but applicants might choose to manage them under a grassland option. Opportunities for grant aided management of orchards will be available within higher level stewardship. It is envisaged that the management requirements will be similar to those that currently apply to traditional orchards managed within countryside stewardship.