§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many of his Department's staff have been dedicated to export promotion in each of the past five financial years; what were his Department's budgets for export promotion for each of the past five financial years; and if he will make a statement; [94607]
(2) what further measures he proposes to take to promote food and agricultural exports; and if he will make a statement. [94608]
§ Ms QuinOver the past five financial years my department has directly deployed 35 staff on dedicated export promotion related activity. The overall budget for each of these years (including the MAFF contribution to Food From Britain) was:
Year £ million 1994–95 6 1995–96 7.1 1996–97 6.7 1997–98 6.3 1998–99 6.9 The Ministry will continue to play its full role in government export promotion activities in conjunction with the overall aims and strategies of British Trade International. This will be undertaken both by staff within 922W the Ministry and by other bodies such as Food From Britain, Meat and Livestock Commission, and Home Grown Cereals Authority.