§ 1. Mr. Yeoasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek the use of European Economic Community common agricultural policy funds for integrated schemes with environmental as well as agricultural benefits in the United Kingdom.
§ 4. Mr. Kenneth Carlisleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will adopt the policy that European Economic Community funds can also be used by his Department for integrated and balanced development on farms and not just for purely agricultural ends.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mrs. Peggy Fenner)Capital grants are already payable in the United Kingdom on farm investment which would have some environmental rather than purely agricultural benefit. To the extent that this is possible under present European Community legislation, the cost of such measures is partly reimbursed by the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund.
It is the Government's intention to seek a strengthening of the environmental safeguards to be included in new agricultural structures regulations presently under discussion in the European Community.
§ Mr. YeoI thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Does it mean that the British Government are now willing to follow the Dutch example and take full advantage of article 3.5 of the EC less-favoured areas directive and apply for further assistance for integrated schemes, which will benefit the environment and promote conservation, as well as promote agricultural prosperity generally?
§ Mrs. FennerAs I hope I made clear to my hon. Friend, in so far as it is possible we already take advantage of reimbursement from that fund, and we intend to help to strengthen the safeguards in the new structures regulations.
§ Mr. CarlisleDoes my hon. Friend accept that her reply is encouraging? Does she agree that it is nonsense to use funds available from the Common Market for agriculture just to add to embarassing surpluses? Does it not make sense to use those funds to achieve a proper balance between agriculture and the conservation of wildlife so that we can maintain a good balance of wildlife and agriculture in our countryside?
§ Mrs. FennerYes, and I understand my hon. Friend's great concern. It is especially welcome that he, a fanner, expresses in the House the concern of farmers for the environment. We have pressed for specific reference to the third action programme on the environment; more importantly, we have pressed for a new provision requiring member states to safeguard the environment when they implement farm structure policies. I trust that that will achieve what my hon. Friend is seeking.
§ Mr. CanavanIs it not typical of the double standards of the Government that, as a result of the common agricultural policy, the average British farmer receives a subsidy of about £2,000 a year, yet the Government refuse to give enough subsidy to the coal industry to stop the closure of pits with workable coal reserves?
§ Mrs. Fennerrose—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Before the hon. Lady answers, may I appeal to the House to keep to the subjects on the Order Paper.
§ Mrs. FennerI am in your hands, Mr. Speaker, but my only comment to the hon. Gentleman is that he should direct questions of that sort to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy. However, it is my knowledge that the industry receives very good subsidies indeed.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesHave riot events over the last couple of years demonstrated that there is an institutionalised conflict between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of the Environment? Does the Minister accept that we cannot continue using public funds to subsidise the destruction of the environment merely to create food surpluses for which we must then use public funds to dispose of them? Are any discussions taking place between the Ministry and the Department of the Environment to resolve this conflict?
§ Mrs. FennerMany years of discussions have taken place between my Department and the Department of the Environment, specifically on the preparation of what is now the Wildlife and Countryside Act—an extremely successful measure. I do not accept the hon. Gentleman's suggestion that there is a conflict between my Ministry and the Department of the Environment.