Written question asked by Huw Edwards (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 November 2000. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 November 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what support he plans to give to farmers' co-operatives in the (a) dairy sector, (b) sheep sector and (c) beef sector.

Answer: Mr. Edwards: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what support he plans to give to farmers' co-operatives in the (a) dairy sector, (b) sheep sector and (c) beef sector. [139272] Ms Quin: The Government are keen to encourage the development of co-operatives and similar collaborative groups across all agricultural sectors. Collaboration can help farmers and growers to secure the scale required to do business with today's major buyers, strengthen members' buying power, and provide access to professional expertise in important areas such as marketing and new production techniques. The England Rural Development Programme, launched last month, identifies improved levels of co-operation and collaboration as a national priority. In particular, collaborative groupings will be able to put forward projects for funding under the new Processing and Marketing Grant, Rural Enterprise Scheme and Vocational Training Scheme. Over £200 million of funding is available under these schemes over seven years.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 357 c662W;357 c660W; 139272
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Agriculture Cooperatives Dairy farming Finance Farmers Marketing Production Livestock industry
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk