HC Deb 05 May 1994 vol 242 c826
2. Mr. Jacques Arnold

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to promote the new organic aid scheme.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mrs. Gillian Shephard)

Once the scheme has been given approval by the Commission, we plan to give it full publicity.

Mr. Arnold

My right hon. Friend will be well aware of the excellent Luddesdown Court organic farm in my constituency. In what way will the new scheme assist farmers to bring further acreage into organic farming?

Mrs. Shephard

I am indeed aware of the excellence of Luddesdown Court in my hon. Friend's constituency. When the scheme is approved, we shall be able to increase the number of organic producers. We plan to increase their number threefold so that the excellence that my hon. Friend describes in his constituency of Gravesham will, we hope, be replicated elsewhere.