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Written question asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 16 March 2016, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Friday, 1 April 2016. It was answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Conservative) on Wednesday, 30 March 2016 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Agriculture: Forestry

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether agroforestry measures under the CAP could help provide an incentive for farmers to plant some trees on pasture as opposed to clearing scrub and trees from pasture, and what assessment they have made of whether CAP Pillar 1 Ecological Focus Areas or Pillar 2 Article 23 measures would be more appropriate for English needs.

Answer

The Countryside Stewardship scheme provides options for farmers to manage both grassland and scrub in environmentally beneficial ways. Countryside Stewardship also provides opportunities to plant trees. These options can be used to deliver environmental enhancements and could contribute to agroforestry without needing to apply the Article 23 measure.

CAP Pillar 1 Ecological Focus Areas can only include agroforestry where this is supported under Pillar 2 Article 23 measures (agroforestry). We have not implemented the agroforestry measure in England.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL7072
Session
2015-16
Subjects
Agriculture Forestry Subsidies Tree planting
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk