THE Barnard Castle area has been selected for one of four pilot schemes aimed at delivering more environmentally friendly farming.

Sir Donald Curry's Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food recommended a new "broad and shallow" or "entry level" scheme which would be open to the majority of farmers, in addition to existing environmental farming schemes.

The exact area has to be identified, but Barnard Castle will test the upland and upland fringe scheme. It is hoped that at least 50 farms will take part.

A widespread range of upland management options will be designed, such as retaining low-input permanent pasture and meadows, and maintenance of stone walls.

Farmers taking part will identify important environmental features and make a commitment to carry out simple environmental management activities which they will select from a wide-ranging list.

The pilot scheme will last two years before the main scheme is introduced in 2005-6.

Michael Meacher, Minister for the Environment and Agri-environment, announced the scheme yesterday.

Defra will invest an extra £500m over the next three years to deliver a sustainable future for farming and the countryside and to implement the core recommendations of the Curry report.

Defra expects to announce final details of the pilots early next year, subject to EU approval. Once the precise boundaries are known, farmers will be able to apply to take part.