§ Mr. Michael BrownTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the extensification scheme for organic farming.
§ Mr. CurryMy right hon. Friend the Minister has made clear the Government's intention to introduce a scheme under EC rules to help farmers who wish to convert to organic production. I hope that the European Commission's proposals on agriculture and the environment will provide the legal basis for the type of scheme we have in mind.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for encouraging the growing and sale of agricultural and horticultural produce free of additives, pesticides and non-organic fertilisers.
§ Mr. MacleanMy right hon. Friend the Minister and this Department have been long-time supporters of organic farming.
We expect to commission research projects shortly in hill grazing of livestock and on a mixed arable and pig unit.
Research is already under way on pests and diseases in organic winter wheat.