NEW safeguards are being introduced to protect uncultivated land and semi-natural areas from environmental damage as a result of being converted to intensive agriculture.

New regulations, to take effect from next February, will require an environmental assessment for all projects to bring new land into intensive farming. Lord Whitty, Food and Farming Minister, said: "Our intention is to minimise the burden of regulation on farmers and landowners, while ensuring that land of significant environmental value has proper protection. We'll make it clear which measures require assessments and I'd encourage those proposing measures of this kind to discuss the issues with Defra's Rural Development Service."