ALL COMMON land in Wales will now be registered electronically, thanks to a £5million investment. Used primarily for agricultural purposes, common land accounts for 8.5% of all land in Wales and plays a vital role in the protection and conservation of Wales's natural habitat. The electronic registers will replace the current paper-based system, creating a consistent system that is easier to manage and accessible 24 hours a day. Instant access to the register will assist in the response to animal disease outbreaks if they occur on common land. Minister for Natural Resources and Food Alun Davies said: "This £5 million investment, alongside the creation of EIDCymru and ongoing County Parish Holding reform, demonstrates our commitment to supporting Wales's agricultural sector and safeguarding our natural resources. "The introduction of electronic registration will create a modern and efficient system that will make it quicker and easier for councils to update the register and process applications, as well as improving the overall management of our common land." Work will start on the implementation of the register in April 2015 and will be completed by the end of 2017.