Written question asked by Lord Campbell-Savours (Labour) on Thursday, 18 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 January 2001. It was answered by Nicholas Brown (Labour) on Monday, 22 January 2001 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: Statement on when the pig industry restructuring scheme ongoers will open for applications; and if he will make a statement. (Documents in library Dep 01/422).

Answer: Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Pig Industry Restructuring Scheme--Ongoers--will open for applications; and if he will make a statement. [146750] Mr. Nick Brown: I am pleased to be able to announce that the Ongoers element of the Pig Industry Restructuring Scheme is today being opened for applications and will remain open for six months. This announcement completes the delivery of a further component of the Government's Action Plan for Farming. It is particularly pleasing to announce the opening of phase two of a scheme that will make a significant amount of money available to the UK pig industry, a sector that has suffered over the past two years. While market conditions have improved recently, the scale of the debt incurred over those difficult times continues to be a major restraint on the industry's ability to prepare itself for the future. The Government's restructuring scheme will go some way towards remedying that situation. The aim of Ongoers is to help pig producers reduce costs, overcome any competitive disadvantage and restore long term viability to their businesses. It will achieve this by providing an interest rate rebate on loans linked to an agreed business plan. Phase one of the scheme--Ongoers--was opened on 4 December 2000 and since then over 1,500 application forms have been sent out in response to telephone and e-mail requests.

Secondary information