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Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Answer

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what information his Department has received about the EU's Interreg Equi Save Atlantic Area Project; and if he will make a statement; [190925] (2) what discussions he has had with agriculture Ministers in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland on eligibility of breeders of rare equine species for the EU's Interreg Equi Save Project; and if he will make a statement; [190927] (3) what steps have been taken to consult breeders of rare equine species in the United Kingdom about the EU's Interreg Equi Save Project; and if he will make a statement. [190929] Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which helps to co-ordinate UK interests in the European-funded Interreg initiative, received a copy of an application for European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) support under the Interreg IIIB Atlantic Area Programme from the French lead partner, Les Haras Nationaux (French public sector body charged with promoting and developing equine interests at regional level). The application indicated that there were no UK partners who would derive any financial support. There were two English associate partners with minor engagement (Exmoor Pony Society and Exmoor Ponies in Conservation). It is normal practice for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to liaise at official level with the Devolved Administrations over any such applications which have partners in either Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland and, where appropriate, with Government Offices and other Government Departments. In the case of the Equi Save project, there were no ERDF beneficiaries in any of the UK countries. The project has now been approved by the programme. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister sought clarification on the eligibility of rare equine species from the programme authorities who confirmed that they are eligible. Breeders of rare horses in the United Kingdom were not consulted as there were no UK ERDF beneficiaries.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

425 c855-6W;425 c855W; 190925;190927;190929

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Animal breeding Horses EU grants and loans Livestock INTERREG programme

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk