Written question asked by Peter Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 15 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 March 2010. It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Thursday, 18 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Agriculture

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage new entrants into agricultural careers.

Answer: DEFRA supports Fresh Start, an industry-led initiative to encourage and support new entrants into farming, including those involved in family succession, and to help established farmers think about how they can develop their business in the future in the light of CAP reform.Fresh Start provides business skills training to people starting out in farming, delivered through a network of Fresh Start Academies. Fresh Start is also working on providing a mentoring service for new farmers as well as a matching service linking potential new starters with existing farmers who are retiring or restructuring.The Fresh Start Initiative only operates within England.

Secondary information