Written question asked by David Kidney (Labour) on Thursday, 11 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will ensure that conditions are attached to future stewardship schemes to secure land management practices that reduce the risk of flooding.

Answer: Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will ensure that conditions are attached to future stewardship schemes to secure land management practices that reduce the risk of flooding. [198182] Alun Michael: We hope to launch our new Environmental Stewardship scheme, which is currently awaiting EU approval, early next year. Details of the scheme options and conditions will be released nearer the time. It is our intention that the scheme will include some measures designed to reduce soil erosion and run-off in high risk areas. It will also include options that may contribute to flood management in both river and coastal situations. Defra has completed initial research to establish current knowledge of the extent to which changes in land management practices impact on flood events. This has shown that there is great uncertainty about the impacts at other than local scales. Future research in the next few years will consider these impacts upon wider catchment areas. Further conditions or options may be included in future scheme revisions once the scientific evidence is clearer.

Secondary information