Written question asked by Lord Elystan-Morgan (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Bach (Labour) on Thursday, 2 March 2006.

Agriculture: Grassland-based Sustainable Research

Question: What discussions, if any, at ministerial level took place between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Welsh Assembly Government before the cuts in financial support for grassland-based sustainable research were announced.

Answer: The Welsh Assembly Government have been consulted in the development of Defra’s Evidence and Innovation Strategy; are an assessor on Defra’s farming and food Research Priorities Group; and are party to the development of Defra’s research funding plans. Defra procures R&D relevant to agriculture and fisheries at a range of research establishments including the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER). This research is funded to support both Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government policies. The Welsh Assembly Government are a close partner in the formulation of Defra research funding plans at a number of levels ranging from our department-wide evidence and innovation strategies through to statements of policy rationale and scientific objectives for individual R&D programmes.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4113; 679 c86WA
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Agriculture: Wales
Wednesday, 15 March 2006
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Finance Sustainable development Wales Research Grasslands
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk