To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to ensure equity of access by farmers in all areas of the countryside to the New Environmental Land Management Scheme.

All farmers in England will be able to apply for the new environmental land management scheme. However with both the “upper tier” and “mid-tier” elements of the new scheme being targeted to sites and areas which deliver priority environmental benefits, there will inevitably be fewer agreements than under the current Environmental Stewardship scheme. Consideration is being given to the range of capital and revenue options that are appropriate to achieve both the environmental gains we seek and provide access to the scheme.