Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure the effective
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£000 Year WDA DBRW WTB EC 5b grant Welsh OfficeOther/fees Other/fees Total 1991–92 48 7.5 17.5 0 0 62 135 1992–93 1,019.5 100.0 40.0 0 0 0 1,159.5 1993–94 1,372.0 102.6 45.0 0 0 0 1,519.6 1994–95 1,400.0 100.9 50.0 0 0 0 1,550.9 1995–96 1,350.0 105.0 55.0 0 0 0 1,510.0 1996–97 500.0 108.0 55.0 9 550.0 279 1,451.0 1997–98 0 110.0 55.0 378 700.0 185 1,428.0 promotion of Welsh beef and lamb, with particular reference to the production methods of Welsh food producers. [39502]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsThe Welsh Office provides support to Welsh Food Promotions Limited which through the marketing and promotional activities of its sister company, Welsh Lamb and Beef Promotions, is responsible for stimulating demand for Welsh lamb and beef. A key element of this is the Farm Assured Welsh Livestock scheme.
The scheme is aimed at livestock producers and encourages the highest standards of animal husbandry and provides consumers with assurances on quality, traceability and animal welfare. Through direct Welsh Office support for a recruitment campaign, membership of the scheme has increased four fold to 3,500 in recent years.
In addition, we are providing grant aid totalling over £2 million to two major projects aimed at improving breeding and production systems for Welsh lamb and beef. These projects, which are assisted under the Objective 5B scheme, are the Beef Development Project sponsored by ADAS and the Welsh Sheep Strategy.
Finally, the Welsh Office will be seeking to develop organic and conservation grade farming as part of our plans to develop a long-term food strategy for Wales.