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Year
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2003
Type
House
Session
Month
Department
Member
Primary member
Answering member
Legislative stage
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Subject
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assistance is being provided for farmers to (a) diversify and (b) generate income from new sources.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assistance is being provided for farmers to (a) diversify and (b) generate income from new sources.
Asked by
Lord Barker of Battle
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
4 November 2003
For answer on
12 November 2003
Answered on
12 November 2003
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assistance is being provided for farmers
to (a) diversify and (b) generate income from new sources. [137265]
Alun Michael: The Government's Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food clearly sets out the scope of the assistance available to
help farmers diversify their sources of income and to generate income from other sources.
Defra offers grants for good diversification projects under the Rural Enterprise Scheme, which forms part of the England Rural
Development Programme. The Department also provides free consultancy advice on land use planning issues to farmers who intend to
pursue a diversification project through the Rural Enterprise Scheme. Defra's Rural Development Service has been running business
planning seminars in a number of regions to help potential applicants work up project proposals which meet the scheme requirements.
There are many types of farm business and no single approach to income generation will be appropriate to all. The England Rural
Development Programme provides support for a range of other opportunities, including organic farming, processing and marketing
primary agricultural products, establishing energy crops and woodland, environmental stewardship under the agri-environment schemes,
and training in the skills farmers may need to pursue new opportunities.
The Department is also considering how to improve the provision of help and information to farmers considering the diversification
of their business base. The Farm Business Advice Service provides up to three days of free advice based around a business health-
check and results in a business action plan. The service can help farmers decide whether or not to diversify and will direct them to
other sources of support.
Subjects
Agriculture; Farms; Income; Government assistance; Farmers; Rural areas; Diversification; Farm Business Advice Service; Rural development programme
Date
12 November 2003
Reference
137265; 413 c289-90W
House
House of Commons
Deposited by
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Consultation papers;
Deposited papers
Author
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Committed on
11 November 2003
Originated on
6 November 2003
Received on
11 November 2003
Subjects
Agriculture; Land; Environment protection; Hill farming; Countryside stewardship scheme; Environmentally sensitive areas; Rural development programme
Commons Library location
Dep 03/2321
Lords Library location
HINF 2003/2123
Date
11 November 2003
Reference
Dep 03/2321
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the running costs were of the Rural Enterprise Scheme, broken down by region, in each year since the scheme was established (a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of the scheme's budget. - Including figures.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the running costs were of the Rural Enterprise Scheme, broken down by region, in each year since the scheme was established (a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of the scheme's budget. - Including figures.
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
14 October 2003
For answer on
22 October 2003
Answered on
22 October 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the running costs were of the Rural
Enterprise Scheme, broken down by region, in each year since the scheme was established (a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of
the scheme's budget. [132627]
Margaret Beckett: The Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES) is delivered by Defra's Rural Development Service (RDS), but running costs are
not available broken down by both scheme and region. In 2001-02 many RDS operational staff made a substantial contribution to work
related to the foot and mouth disease outbreak and were not employed on their normal duties for much of the year. In consequence, it
is not possible to provide an accurate figure for RES running costs in 2001-02.
In 2002-03 RES accounted for 75.7 staff years of RDS effort at a total estimated cost of £2.6 million. RDS running costs are not
funded from RES programme expenditure, however £2.6 million expressed as a percentage of the final RES budget for 2002-03 is 16.7
per cent. It is important to note that 2002-03 running cost expenditure relates not just to the in-year budget, but also to the
assessment and approval of projects which will incur expenditure in subsequent years; forward funding commitments at the end of
2002-03 amounted to £15.4 million.
Subjects
Expenditure; Operating costs; Rural development programme
Date
22 October 2003
Reference
132627; 411 c573W;411 c577W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the budget was for the Rural Enterprise Scheme, broken down by region in each year since the scheme was established; how much money has been paid in grants under the Rural Enterprise Scheme, broken down by region,...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the budget was for the Rural Enterprise Scheme, broken down by region in each year since the scheme was established; how much money has been paid in grants under the Rural Enterprise Scheme, broken down by region,...
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
14 October 2003
For answer on
22 October 2003
Answered on
22 October 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the budget was for the Rural
Enterprise Scheme, broken down by region in each year since the scheme was established; [132625]
(2) how much money has been paid in grants under the Rural Enterprise Scheme, broken down by region, in each year since the scheme
was established. [132626]
Margaret Beckett: The following table shows: (i) the original programme budgets, (ii) revised budgets reflecting in-year
reallocations in order to maximise the use of the programme funding available, and (iii) grant paid in respect of the Rural
Enterprise Scheme for 2001-02 and 2002-03:
£ million
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
2001-02 2002-03
Regions/Unit Original budget Revised budget Spend Original budget Revised budget Spend
North East 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.7 1.2 1.0
West Midlands 1.0 0.8 0.6 1.4 2.1 2.0
South West 1.5 1.2 0.2 2.0 2.5 1.9
North West 1.0 0.8 0.3 1.3 1.6 1.3
East Midlands 1.1 0.9 0.4 1.5 2.5 1.7
East of England 1.0 0.7 0.5 1.1 1.7 1.4
Yorks and Humber 1.0 0.7 0.3 1.2 1.8 1.9
South East 0.7 0.6 0.3 1.0 1.7 1.6
National 0.2 0.1 0 1.8 0.5 0.2
Total 8.0 6.2 2.8 12.0 15.6 13.0
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Subjects
Finance; Economic regions; Rural development programme
Date
22 October 2003
Reference
411 c574W;411 c578W; 132625;132626
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects to propose detailed provisions on rural development fund payments and their application to tenant farmers.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects to propose detailed provisions on rural development fund payments and their application to tenant farmers.
Asked by
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 September 2003
For answer on
17 September 2003
Answered on
17 September 2003
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to propose detailed provisions
on rural development fund payments and their application to tenant farmers. [R] [129635]
Alun Michael: The England Rural Development Programme was established in 2000 and measures under it are available to all farmers,
including tenant farmers, on the same terms. Because the Government was keen to ensure that tenants are not disadvantaged in
applying for farm diversification or agri-environment schemes, we asked the Tenancy Reform Industry Group to consider this issue.
This group, which included representatives from all key industry stakeholder organisations, published its report in June 2003. TRIG
has proposed a comprehensive package of legislative, fiscal and other changes that are intended to ensure both landlord and tenant
have more flexibility to deal with the long-term nature of rural land management. These recommendations have the support of all TRIG
members.
TRIG did not find sufficient evidence to warrant recommending a change to agricultural tenancy legislation to give tenants a greater
ability to diversify or participate in agri-environment schemes. However, they have proposed that a new Code of Good Practice should
be drawn up to help avoid disputes between landlords and tenants on consent for diversification into non- agricultural activities.
The Group also recommended that if, after a period of years the Code of Good Practice was not seen to be working and there is
evidence to show that the legislation is acting as a barrier to diversification, legislative change should be considered.
The Government's formal response to the Group's report has not yet been published. However we have asked TRIG to take work on a Code
of Good Practice forward and a small working group will be working on this over the autumn.
Subjects
Applications; Farms; Farmers; Payments; Tenants; Rural development programme
Date
17 September 2003
Reference
129635; 410 c780-1W;410 c778W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the application procedures for rural development funds. - Includes figure.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the application procedures for rural development funds. - Includes figure.
Asked by
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 September 2003
For answer on
16 September 2003
Answered on
16 September 2003
Subjects
Applications; Agriculture; Grants; Rural areas; Subsidies; Rural development programme
Date
16 September 2003
Reference
129637; 410 c636W;410 c635W
House
House of Commons
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Asked by
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, What representations she has received on the proposals for rural development policy under the mid-term review of Common Agricultural Policy.
Subjects
EU action; Reform; Common agricultural policy; Rural development programme
Date
17 July 2003
Reference
409 c424-5
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, What representations she has received on the proposals for rural development policy under the mid-term review of Common Agricultural Policy.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, What representations she has received on the proposals for rural development policy under the mid-term review of Common Agricultural Policy.
Asked by
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
14 July 2003
For answer on
17 July 2003
Answered on
17 July 2003
Subjects
EU action; Reform; Common agricultural policy; Rural development programme
Date
17 July 2003
Reference
409 c424-5; 126280
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
1st supplementary on same.
1st supplementary on same.
Asked by
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
17 July 2003
Subjects
EU action; Reform; Common agricultural policy; Rural development programme
Date
17 July 2003
Reference
409 c424-5
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
Subjects
EU action; Reform; Common agricultural policy; Rural development programme
Date
17 July 2003
Reference
409 c424-5
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what European Union funding is available to support farmers to encourage non-use of pesticides on crops; and what recent discussions have taken place with EU representatives regarding organic foods.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what European Union funding is available to support farmers to encourage non-use of pesticides on crops; and what recent discussions have taken place with EU representatives regarding organic foods.
Asked by
Jimmy Wray
(Labour)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
19 May 2003
For answer on
4 June 2003
Answered on
4 June 2003
Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what European Union funding is available to support
farmers to encourage non-use of pesticides on crops; and what recent discussions have taken place with EU representatives regarding
organic foods. [115136]
Mr. Morley: The EU co-funds the Countryside Stewardship, Environmentally Sensitive Area and Organic Farming Schemes under the
England Rural Development Programme (ERDP). These agri- environment schemes offer a range of management options primarily designed
to achieve a range of objectives including protecting and enhancing bio- diversity, wildlife, landscape, historic environment and
access. Some of these Schemes do place restrictions on the use of pesticides where it is necessary to achieve these objectives.
Agreements are however, not offered solely for the non-use of pesticides.
It is our intention to integrate continuing support for Organic Farmers into the new Entry Level Agri- environment Scheme, due to be
launched in 2005. This is currently under development and being discussed with stakeholders now. The proposals will be discussed
with the European Commission later this year.
Subjects
Crops; EU action; Pesticides; Organic farming; Subsidies; Agri-environment action plan; Rural development programme
Date
4 June 2003
Reference
115136; 406 c417W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of CAP Pillar Two funding.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of CAP Pillar Two funding.
Asked by
Andrew Murrison
(Conservative)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
29 April 2003
For answer on
8 May 2003
Answered on
8 May 2003
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the
effectiveness of CAP Pillar Two funding. [111273]
Mr. Morley: The effectiveness of CAP Pillar Two funding in England is being assessed in several ways. The Mid-term Evaluation of the
England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) is currently in progress and aims to assess the implementation and impact of the
Programme since its inception in 2000 to present. The evaluation will be completed in December 2003 and its findings will be
reported to the European Commission. Similar evaluations are being produced on rural development programmes in other parts of the UK
and in the other member states.
There are also a number of recently completed or on- going studies on individual ERDP schemes and other reviews that will touch on
the effectiveness of the Programme as a whole. The studies on individual ERDP schemes include a major review of agri-environment
schemes, a Hill Farming Allowance review and reviews of the Farm Woodland Premium and Woodland Grant Schemes. With regard to project
based schemes, an economic evaluation of the Processing and Marketing Grant scheme is in progress and various aspects of the impact
the Rural Enterprise Scheme are being examined.
Outside of these internal reviews and studies, Defra officials assess the effectiveness of CAP Pillar Two funding by analysing
reports from other organisations and by using internal management information.
Subjects
Agriculture; Expenditure; Subsidies; Common agricultural policy; Rural development programme
Date
8 May 2003
Reference
111273; 404 c786W;404 c782W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the EU Special Accession Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the EU Special Accession Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development.
Asked by
Andrew Murrison
(Conservative)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
29 April 2003
For answer on
8 May 2003
Answered on
8 May 2003
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the EU Special
Accession Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development. [111272]
Mr. Morley: The EU Special Accession Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (SAPARD) is available to the 10 EU new member
states and candidate countries from central and eastern Europe1. Its objectives are similar to those of the rural development
programmes in the 15 existing member states.
The programme has provided a valuable opportunity to the candidates in the practical application of rural development policies and
EU financial systems. The accreditation process for the newly established Paying Agencies in particular has enabled them to
experience and satisfy EU audit procedures.
Defra Ministers and officials have taken every opportunity to urge the applicants to make full use of the funds available. Defra is
a strong supporter of rural development programmes as a mechanism for supporting rural and farming areas and very much welcomes this
chance for the candidates to benefit from these systems in advance of their membership. Although we have not commissioned any
specific assessment of the progress of SAPARD expenditure, my officials attend meetings of the European Commission Regulatory
Committee, which reviews and approves the programmes of the countries concerned.
1 New member states due to join May 2004: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia.
Candidates due to join in 2007: Bulgaria and Romania.
Subjects
Agriculture; EU accession; EU enlargement; EU action; Rural areas; Subsidies; Common agricultural policy; Rural development programme
Date
8 May 2003
Reference
111272; 404 c777W;404 c773W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her Answer of 14th April 2003, 403 c479-80W, on farm subsidies, what proportion of production-linked subsidy payments have been redirected into rural development measures since 2001.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her Answer of 14th April 2003, 403 c479-80W, on farm subsidies, what proportion of production-linked subsidy payments have been redirected into rural development measures since 2001.
Asked by
Nick Gibb
(Conservative)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
28 April 2003
For answer on
7 May 2003
Answered on
7 May 2003
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 14 April 2003, Official
Report, columns 479-80W, on farm subsidies, what proportion of production-linked subsidy payments have been redirected into rural
development measures since 2001. [110876]
Mr. Morley: The Common Agricultural Policy Horizontal Regulation (Reg.1259/99) enables member states to redirect up to 20 per cent.
of CAP direct subsidy payments for the purpose of co-financing new expenditure on the so-called `accompanying
measures'--essentially, in England, the agri-environment schemes and farm woodlands.
The Government's policy of modulating production- based subsidy payments into rural development was first introduced in the UK in
2001 at a relatively low, flat rate of 2.5 per cent. following full consultation. The rate, which under existing legislation will
rise progressively to 4.5 per cent. by 2005, rose to 3 per cent. in 2002 and again in 2003 to the current rate of 3.5 per cent.
Subjects
Agriculture; Subsidies; Common agricultural policy; Rural development programme
Date
7 May 2003
Reference
110876; 404 c712W;404 c708W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to channel production-linked farm subsidies into rural development schemes.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to channel production-linked farm subsidies into rural development schemes.
Asked by
Nick Gibb
(Conservative)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
3 April 2003
For answer on
14 April 2003
Answered on
14 April 2003
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to channel production-linked farm
subsidies into rural development schemes. [107806]
Mr. Morley: Government have redirected, and match funded, a proportion of production linked subsidy payments into rural development
measures since 2001. In the current negotiations on CAP reform we are pressing for both a shift in support from production-linked
subsidies to environmental and rural development measures and a significant increase in the UK's share of current EU funding for
rural development programmes. We are committed to increasing expenditure on the England Rural Development Programme. The detailed
arrangements for delivering this commitment will depend on the outcome of the on-going negotiations on the reform of the CAP.
Subjects
Agriculture; Farms; Farmers; Subsidies; Common agricultural policy; Rural development programme
Date
14 April 2003
Reference
107806; 403 c479-80W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the spending plans are from 2003 to 2008 for (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland under pillar two of the Common Agricultural Policy. - Includes table.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the spending plans are from 2003 to 2008 for (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland under pillar two of the Common Agricultural Policy. - Includes table.
Asked by
Mark Todd
(Labour)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
27 March 2003
For answer on
8 April 2003
Answered on
8 April 2003
Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the spending plans are from 2003 to 2008 for
(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland under pillar two of the Common Agricultural Policy. [106202]
Mr. Morley: Rural Development Programmes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the relevant Administrations.
Plans for CAP pillar 2 spending up to 2006 are set out in the published rural development programmes and are summarised as follows.
These figures relate to the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund accounting years (to 16 October) and consist of both
EU and national funds included in Rural Development Programmes. They do not include spending financed by the European Structural
Funds.
£ million (1:£0.63)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
2003 2004 2005 2006
England 242.2 269.1 284 320
Northern Ireland 39.9 41.7 41.7 43.8
Scotland 154.4 131.1 136.5 144.6
Wales 79.6 74.6 78.7 72.4
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
The figures do not include the additional funding that was made available as a result of the 2002 Spending Review to match an
increase in modulation to 10 per cent.; that funding was conditional on future ministerial decisions and (in England) on the success
of the pilots for the Entry Level Agri-Environment Scheme.
Spending in 2007 and 2008 will depend on future decisions on the allocation of EU rural development resources.
Subjects
Agriculture; Expenditure; Subsidies; Common agricultural policy; Rural development programme
Date
8 April 2003
Reference
106202; 403 c128-9W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her Answer of 17th March, Official Report, 401 c502W, on the English Rural Development Programme, how much of each of the amounts shown is accounted for by expenditure already agreed to; and how much is available...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her Answer of 17th March, Official Report, 401 c502W, on the English Rural Development Programme, how much of each of the amounts shown is accounted for by expenditure already agreed to; and how much is available...
Asked by
Michael Jack
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
27 March 2003
For answer on
3 April 2003
Answered on
3 April 2003
Mr. Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 17 March 2003, Official
Report, column 502W, on the English Rural Development Programme, how much of each of the amounts shown is accounted for by
expenditure already agreed to; and how much is available to new applicants, broken down by scheme in each case. [106227]
Alun Michael: The planned expenditure on schemes under the England Rural Development Programme is broken down as follows:
£ million
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
2003-04 2004-05 2005-06
Expenditure on Funds available Expenditure on Funds available Expenditure on Funds available
existing for new existing for new existing for new
agreements applications agreements applications agreements applications
Countryside Stewardship 72.5 8.5 65.6 30.4 55.7 55.3
Scheme1
Environmentally 45.2 2.8 45.2 2.8 45.2 2.8
Sensitive Areas Scheme
Organic Farming Scheme 6.5 15.5 2.4 20.6 1.5 21.5
Farm Woodland Premium 10.7 0.3 10.4 1.6 10.4 2.6
Scheme
Woodland Grant Scheme 7.4 13.6 5.4 16.6 4.1 17.9
Hill Farm Allowance2 34.8 0.0 27.2 0.0 27.2 0.0
Rural Enterprise Scheme 10.2 13.8 2.3 33.7 0.7 35.3
Processing and Marketing 6.6 1.4 1.5 6.5 0.3 7.7
Grant
Vocational Training 1.7 2.3 0.8 3.2 0.2 3.8
Scheme
Energy Crops Scheme 0.1 4.9 0.0 5.0 0.0 5.0
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
1 The rising profile of available funds for new applications will be reduced each year by the expenditure on applications approved
in the preceding year(s). 2 Expenditure on the Hill Farm Allowance is determined by claims from farmers in the Less Favoured Areas
who in any one year have an eligible forage area and keep sheep and/or breeding cattle. Payment rates are set according to demand
and the available funds. The budget is planned to be spent in full each year.
The budget for each of the schemes is kept under review, and some limited re-balancing of the available funds may be necessary, with
European Commission approval as required, to meet the changing priorities of the Programme.
Subjects
Agriculture; Expenditure; Subsidies; Rural development programme
Date
3 April 2003
Reference
106227; 402 c799-800W;402 c800W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish her proposed expenditure for each of the next three years under the English Rural Development Programme, broken down by scheme. - Includes tables.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish her proposed expenditure for each of the next three years under the English Rural Development Programme, broken down by scheme. - Includes tables.
Asked by
Michael Jack
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
11 March 2003
For answer on
17 March 2003
Answered on
17 March 2003
Mr. Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish her proposed expenditure for
each of the next three years under the English Rural Development Programme, broken down by scheme. [103146]
Alun Michael: The proposed expenditure on schemes under the England Rural Development Programme is:
£ million
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Scheme 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06
Countryside Stewardship Scheme 81 96 111
Environmentally Sensitive Area 48 48 48
Scheme
Organic Farming Scheme 22 23 23
Farm Woodland Premium Scheme 11 12 13
Woodland Grant Scheme 21 22 22
Hill Farming Allowance 35 27 27
Rural Enterprise Scheme 24 36 36
Processing and Marketing Grant 8 8 8
Vocational Training Scheme 4 4 4
Energy Crops Scheme 5 5 5
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
The table does not include possible new schemes that would require modification of the ERDP and are subject to Commission approval.
For example, we recently launched a pilot entry level agri-environment scheme and we have said that if this pilot is successful we
intend to introduce the full scheme in England in 2005. Additional funding would have to be made available in 2005-06 to operate the
scheme.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Scheme Total Number of agreements Number of agreements approved Scheme budget 2000-06 (£
approved between 2000-021,2 million)
Countryside Stewardship Scheme 13,858 6,290 481
Environmentally Sensitive Areas 12,300 1,677 330
Organic Farming Scheme N/a 1,085 141
Woodland Grant Scheme 32,748 7,058 139
Farm Woodland Premium Scheme/Farm 10,059 2,389 77
Woodland Scheme
Energy Crops Scheme N/a 31 32
Hill Farm Allowance2 N/a 9,953 254
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Note: Figures for number of approved agreements are provisional as some agreements for 2002 remain to be processed. Agreements
entered into before 2000 are excluded. For Hill Farm Allowance, figure relates to number of payments made on claims received in 2002
rather than agreements approved over the years 2000 to 2002.
It is not possible to directly compare the value of approved agreements in a givenyear with the budget for that year, because (a)
the majority of agreements under athe land based schemes are for commitments lasting ten years or more and with payments made
annually; (b) first payments under individual agreements may not always be made in the same year as the agreement is approved; and
(c) much of the current budget for land based schemes is expended on commitments entered into before the ERDP began in 2000.
In financial year 2000-01, 83 per cent. of the total budget available for the ERDP land-based schemes was spent, and in financial
year 2001-02, 89 per cent. of the total budget available for the ERDP land-based schemes was spent.
Subjects
Agriculture; Subsidies; Rural development programme
Date
17 March 2003
Reference
103146; 401 c502W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to (a) encourage the take-up and (b) speed up the processing of grants for land-based schemes of the England Rural Development Programme. - Including figures.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to (a) encourage the take-up and (b) speed up the processing of grants for land-based schemes of the England Rural Development Programme. - Including figures.
Asked by
Bob Blizzard
(Labour)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
6 March 2003
For answer on
13 March 2003
Answered on
13 March 2003
Mr. Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to (a) encourage the take-up
and (b) speed up the processing of grants for land-based schemes of the England Rural Development Programme. [102405]
Alun Michael: All ERDP schemes are being promoted both at national and regional level through joint working with partner
organisations, at events such as agricultural shows and other public events, news releases and local publicity, and workshops for
potential applicants.
In addition, a number of initiatives are in place to encourage uptake of particular ERDP land-based schemes. For example, the
opening of the 2003 Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) application window was announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for
the Environment on 7 November 2002 and applications have been encouraged through advertisements in the national farming press. In
order to increase the number of farmers converting to organic production methods, the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) will be
relaunched from May 2003 with a new option that allows payments to be made (over a five year agreement) for the management of
organically farmed land in an environmentally beneficial way. In addition, steps are under way to improve the take up of the Energy
Crops Scheme (ECS), which supports the establishment of short rotation coppice and miscanthus as renewable energy sources. The
Government has allocated £66 million to the development of end markets for such crops, and £3.5 million for improvements to the
fuels supply infrastructure. We will also be reviewing the rules in respect of the co-firing of energy crops with coal.
The payment of some claims has recently been delayed due to the need under EU regulations to cross- check land-based scheme
agreements against the IACS database. Steps have now been taken to speed up the processing of applications and payments through the
streamlining of administrative procedures. In addition, a simplified claim form for CSS payments was introduced last year, to
significantly ease the burden on beneficiaries. Also, to allow more time for the preparation of CSS applications, the application
window has been opened two months earlier than in previous years. Over the longer term, major reviews of both the agri-environment
and forestry schemes are considering ways of rationalising and simplifying existing arrangements. To this end a pilot of the Entry
Level Scheme, which is designed to encourage a large number of farmers across a wide area of farmland to deliver simple yet
effective environmental management on their farms, was launched on 27 February. Together with the introduction of new IT systems in
Defra, the Rural Payments Agency and the Forestry Commission, these developments should lead to significant improvements in the
speed and efficiency of land-based scheme administration.
Subjects
Applications; Agriculture; Administrative delays; Land; Grants; Subsidies; Take-up; Rural development programme
Date
13 March 2003
Reference
102405; 401 c369-70W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many grants have been approved under the land-based schemes of the England Rural Development Programme since its inception; and what proportion of the total available budget this represented in each year. - Including table.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many grants have been approved under the land-based schemes of the England Rural Development Programme since its inception; and what proportion of the total available budget this represented in each year. - Including table.
Asked by
Bob Blizzard
(Labour)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
6 March 2003
For answer on
13 March 2003
Answered on
13 March 2003
Mr. Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many grants have been approved under the
land-based schemes of the England Rural Development Programme since its inception; and what proportion of the total available budget
this represented in each year. [102404]
Alun Michael: The following table shows the number of ERDP agreements approved under the land based schemes since the Programme
began in 2000, and the total programme budget for each scheme.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Scheme Total number of agreements Number of agreements approved Scheme budget 2000-06 (£
between 2000-02 1,2 million)
Countryside Stewardship Scheme 13,858 6,290 481
Environmentally Sensitive Areas 12,300 1,677 330
Organic Farming Scheme n/a 1,085 141
Woodland Grant Scheme 32,748 7,058 139
Farm Woodland Premium Scheme/Farm 10,059 2,389 77
Woodland Scheme
Energy Crops Scheme n/a 31 32
Hill Farm Allowance2 n/a 9,953 254
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
1 Figures for number of approved agreements are provisional as some agreements for 2002 remain to be processed. Agreements entered
into before 2000 are excluded. 2 For Hill Farm Allowance, figure relates to number of payments made on claims received in 2002
rather than agreements approved over the years 2000 to 2002.
It is not possible to compare the value of approved agreements in a given year directly with the budget for that year, because (a)
the majority of agreements under the land based schemes are for commitments lasting 10 years or more and with payments made
annually; (b) first payments under individual agreements may not always be made in the same year as the agreement is approved; and
(c) much of the current budget for land based schemes is expended on commitments entered into before the ERDP began in 2000.
In financial year 2000-01, 83 per cent. of the total budget available for the ERDP land-based schemes was spent, and in financial
year 2001-02, 89 per cent. of the total budget available for the ERDP land-based schemes was spent.
Subjects
Agriculture; Finance; Land; Grants; Subsidies; Rural development programme
Date
13 March 2003
Reference
102404; 401 c368-70W
House
House of Commons