HL Deb 03 March 1998 vol 586 cc153-4WA
Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are their policies to support deer farming in Scotland. [HL761]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (Lord Sewel)

The Government recognise that any support for deer farming in Scotland must be within the framework of existing UK and EC legislation. The industry is being encouraged to pursue possible grant assistance through the Marketing Development Scheme to assist in the marketing of venison as a healthy alternative to other meats. Financial assistance has also recently been provided to support the newly opened Deer Farming Training Centre at Barony College, near Dumfries, the first such centre to be opened in the UK.