§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what money he has applied for from the EU to reclaim agricultural land affected by flooding; and if he will make a statement. [152293]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 5 March 2001]At our request, the European Commission has agreed a number of changes and flexibilities in CAP scheme rules to protect payments to British farmers affected by flooding this winter, details of which have already been announced. EU funding was discussed as a possibility under the England Rural Development Programme but the views of rural stakeholders expressed in consultations were that restoration from flooding was a lower priority in this long-term programme than measures to conserve and improve the environment and to assist the creation of a more productive and sustainable rural economy.