To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of agricultural support has been allocated to countryside protection in each of the last five years. [29254]

Expenditure on agri-environment and other measures which have as their primary aim the protection of the rural environment is shown in the table. The table also shows this expenditure as a percentage of total agricultural support.

Year	£ million	Percentage
1992–93	73.6	3.6
1993–94	93.8	3.2
1994–95	99.2	3.9
1995–96	117.5	4.1
1996–971	127.2	22.9
1 Forecast at time of publication of "Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1996".
2 Total agricultural support increased substantially in 1996–97, largely because of BSE-related expenditure. This is reflected in a lower percentage figure for expenditure on agri-environment and similar measures.

A number of other measures also benefit the rural environment as part of their overall objectives. These include programmes to increase awareness of the environment among the farming community, and measures in support of upland areas.Further details can be found in table 9.1 of "Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1996", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.