§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those grants now available to farmers practising low-input conservation husbandry.
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 17 October 1989]: The full range of Government grants is available to those farmers pursuing less intensive husbandry systems with an emphasis on good conservation practice. Some are likely to match their more specific needs. For example, farmers who wish to convert to organic farming can take advantage of the fallow provisions of the set-aside scheme which enable them to prepare their land to meet organic standards without foregoing income entirely. Under the agricultural and horticultural co-operation schemes grant aid may be available towards formation and marketing costs of co-operatives formed to market organic produce or other foods produced under low input systems. Capital grants may also be available to established co-operatives towards the cost of buildings and equipment. In addition, incentives to protect and improve the environment exist under schemes such as the farm and conservation grant scheme, the environmentally sensitive areas scheme and the farm woodland scheme. Further assistance to less intensive farming under the options of the extensification scheme is under consideration.