§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each year since 1994(a) what forms of financial aid are available exclusively for organic farmers, (b) what administrative procedures were required for its acquisition, (c) how much money was earmarked, and (d) what percentage of the money annually earmarked was received by farmers in that year; and if he will make a statement. [2350]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansThe organic aid scheme provides direct financial support for farmers wishing to convert from conventional to organic production methods.
To obtain aid, a farmer must register the land as in conversion with the UK register of organic food standards—UKROFS—or a body approved by UKROFS, and undertake to convert to organic agriculture in accordance with the rules of the scheme and UKROFS organic production standards.
The scheme provision and percentage paid to farmers during the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96 and provision for 1996–97 are shown in the table:
(£ thousands) Financial year Provision Percentage outturn 1994–95 170 0 1995–96 296 2 1996–97 382 — Difficulty obtaining suitable technical advice and information may have deterred some farmers. I was therefore pleased to launch the Welsh organic conversion information service last September. The service provides a telephone helpline and free advisory visits to prospective organic farmers. Interest has been strong and I hope that more farmers will be encouraged to convert as a result of this imaginative initiative.