§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to adopt an early retirement scheme for farmers; and if he will make a statement. [78023]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 22 March 1999]: Support for early retirement is one of the measures provided for in the Rural Development Regulation, recently agreed by the Agriculture Council as part of the CAP reform negotiations. Detailed implementing rules still need to be agreed. No decision has yet been made on which of the measures in the Regulation will be implemented in the UK. We are currently evaluating the views expressed by farmers and other interested parties as a result of the consultation exercise launched in January. Now that the Regulation has been agreed, we will be putting forward more detailed proposals for consultation, taking account of the funds available.