Written question asked by Paul Keetch (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 22 March 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 March 2000. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 30 March 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to make use of the provisions of the EU Rural Development Regulation allowing support of agricultural production to be conditional on the carrying out of measures to protect wildlife; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Keetch: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to make use of the provisions of the EU Rural Development Regulation allowing support of agricultural production to be conditional on the carrying out of measures to protect wildlife; and if he will make a statement. [116320] Mr. Morley: There are already measures in our livestock subsidy schemes to prevent overgrazing and environmentally damaging feeding practices and in our arable payments schemes relating to the management of set-aside land. Consultation last year on the European Commission's Agenda 2000 reforms revealed numerous suggestions of additional environmental conditions which might be attached to agricultural support payments. These need to be considered very carefully with regard to whether they would be easily understood, their ease of enforcement, the environmental benefits and the cost to farmers. Further work is being done on this. If possible measures are identified, a further round of consultation on detailed proposals would be needed before introducing them.

Secondary information