§ 15. Mr. LordTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has identified any specific areas in agriculture and horticulture which need special help as a result of the recent hurricane.
§ Mr. MacGregorI am completing assessment of losses suffered by fruit farmers, who have experienced severe damage and whose losses are unlikely to be insurable. As the House knows, I have written to the European Commission about issues relating to help with shelter belts, hedges and traditional walls. A full assessment of damage to woodlands is being made by the Forestry Commission which is also giving advice on the orderly marketing of timber. Financial help is available from the Countryside Commission for replanting small areas of woodlands and, for larger areas, from the Forestry Commission.
§ 39. Mr. RoweTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he now has to relieve the distress of farmers in mid Kent who have suffered in the recent storm.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe long-standing position of successive Governments has been that farmers bear the cost of bad weather. It is not the normal practice to pay compensation, particularly where risks are insurable. I have, however, written to the European Commission about the possibility of increasing the rates of some grants under the agriculture improvement scheme to help with work needed on shelter belts, hedges and traditional walls and await a reply. I am also making a full assessment of the losses suffered by fruit farmers about which I am in consultation with the NFU and others. I will consider the position when this assessment is complete.