To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications there were to the (a) entry level and (b) higher level of the environmental stewardship scheme in (i) lowland areas and (ii) upland areas in each of the last five years; and how much was claimed in each of those years. (210077)

The number of applications received under Entry Level Stewardship and Higher Level Stewardship in upland and lowland areas in each year since the scheme was launched in 2005 are set out in the following table:

The amounts of grant aid paid on agreements in the above categories in each year since payments began in 2006 are set out in the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the renewal rates were for (a) classic schemes and (b) environmental stewardship schemes in each of the last five years for which figures are available. (210079)

The 'classic' agri-environment schemes (notably Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Areas) closed to new applications in 2004, so any remaining "live" schemes will have the option of moving into Environmental Stewardship (ES) only. Natural England estimates that a minimum of 32 per cent. of expiring classic agreements were renewed directly into Environmental Stewardship between 2004 and 2007.

Environmental Stewardship was introduced in 2005. Agreements under the scheme have a duration of at least five years, so the earliest renewals will not be due until 2010. However, there were 249 'pilot' Entry Level Stewardship agreements which were set up in advance of the launch of the main scheme and which expire this year. All 249 pilot agreement holders have been invited to submit applications to renew by 15 July and Natural England is providing support and advice in the form of farmer workshops and some 1:1 site visits . We do not yet know what the final number of renewals will be.