Mr. David Scallan:

The short answer is "No". The scheme is at a youthful stage and we hope that the Department will issue another public consultation that specifically deals with agri-environment. My organisation and the national uplands working group would then be in a much better position to deal with costed proposals. It would also be better able to examine specific ways to implement the scheme, for example, in terms of the incentives offered and how they will be paid on a per hectare basis. For the moment we have brought the concept to the committee and stress that this is a great opportunity for the Department.