§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what initiatives are being pursued to promote entry into farming for young people; and if he will make a statement. [110530]
§ Ms QuinThe Government believe that the best way to help young people enter farming and to secure the economic viability of UK agriculture is to develop an agricultural industry that is successful, competitive and sustainable. To achieve this, the Government are seeking to create a transparent and stable economic framework within which the industry can operate.
In addition, the £1.6 billion support for rural development, which the Agriculture Minister announced on 7 December 1999, will be of enormous benefit to the farming industry and represents a significant increase in expenditure on rural development measures. In implementing the England Rural Development Plan measures full consideration will be given to the needs of young farmers.