§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much matching funding has been given for European rural development grants in Wales in the current financial year; how many projects are awaiting match funding and what would be the total requirement of matching funds to enable them to progress; and what funding has been agreed for such match funding for 1999–2000. [72824]
§ Mr. HainIn the current financial year Rural Development Grant of £809,000 has been committed to support European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) Objective 5b awards.
There are currently 35 projects under consideration arising from successful EAGGF Objective 5b bids under Rounds 7 and 8. These represent a total bid of some £3.8m over the financial years 1998–99 to 2001–2002.
The Secretary of State will be making decisions shortly about further funding for the scheme based on the merits of individual projects and our priorities for securing the long-term future of the agriculture and food industries.