HC Deb 29 April 1993 vol 223 cc519-20W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision he is making to improve the service to farmers requiring maps in order to make applications for European Community financial assistance before the 14 May deadline; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Hunt

Farmers may obtain advice and maps from the Ordnance Survey and their agents. In addition, to ease congestion at these outlets, I have made special arrangements for farmers to have access to maps held by my Department to help them complete their applications. I have asked local authorities and other bodies to provide access to maps they hold. Special arrangements have also been made with the Ordnance Survey so that the Welsh Office and ADAS can sell maps to farmers.

In the past week I have also informed livestock producers that if accurate details of forage areas cannot be established accurately by 15 May they should submit this year an estimate in hectares on a field-by-field basis. Provided that estimate proves to be either accurate or an under-statement of the area, they will not be penalised subsequently. I have therefore recommended that they estimate conservatively should they need to do so.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision he has made to meet farmers and farming organisations to discuss the revised guidelines for European Community assistance, and to set up explanatory seminars with(a) a ministerial presence and (b) official presence only.

Mr. David Hunt

My Department has gone to considerable lengths to inform the farming industry of the changes to the various premium schemes, including the introduction of the integrated administration and control system (IACS), arising from the reforms of the common agricultural policy. Between January and March senior officials ran 10 seminars throughout Wales to explain the new rules and grant application procedures. They have also, upon invitation, addressed meetings of both local and national organisations with an interest in the industry.

Special additional arrangements have been made to advise farmers about the completion of their IACS returns. I have established free-phone helplines in the divisional offices of my Agricultural Department which have received over 10,000 calls. I also commissioned ADAS to undertake an awareness campaign and provide on the spot training at markets and places where farmers gather throughout Wales. By Friday 23 April, in conjunction with my officials they had held some 150 such events, attended by approximately 6,500 farmers. These will continue right up to the deadline of 15 May and concentrate more on form filling in working groups and clinics. I have participated in several of these clinics in various parts of Wales. I shall also be meeting representatives of farming unions next week.