§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions she has had with her ministerial colleague in Northern Ireland concerning the reinstatement of the agricultural development operational programme scheme; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramI have been asked to reply on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. She has not had any discussions with my noble Friend concerning the reinstatement of the ADOP scheme. The successor to ADOP forms part of the Northern Ireland structural funds plan that has been submitted direct to the European Commission. Officials from the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland are currently negotiating with the Commission on the detail of the new community support framework, which will implement the plan, and it is hoped that agreement will be reached by May with implementation following as soon as possible thereafter.