§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if Ministers will give evidence in person to Professor Anderson's inquiry into the foot and mouth outbreak; [14113]
(2) what powers Professor Anderson has to summon (a) officials and (b) Ministers to give evidence to his inquiry into the foot and mouth outbreak. [14114]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 12 November 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr. Paterson) on 7 November 2001, Official Report, column 300W.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many local areas are conducting their own inquiries into the recent foot and mouth disease breakdown; and what response her Department is making to them. [8543]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 18 October 2001]: We are aware that a number of local studies or inquiries are planned or are taking place. DEFRA is prepared to assist these by providing general information on the epidemic and answers to written questions on focused areas of particular concern to the local authorities. However, such assistance must be limited by the need to ensure that staff are not diverted from the prime task of eradicating the disease and preventing its return. DEFRA will not therefore be able to meet requests for wide ranging information and views, nor will staff be available to answer oral questions.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what help is available to farmers who lost stock owing to the recent foot and mouth outbreak. [8533]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 18 October 2001]: Fanners who have lost stock as a result of foot and mouth disease are eligible for compensation for the value of animals destroyed, and for other items seized and destroyed such as fodder and hay.
A further range of measures to help these farmers, amounting to £15.4 million, have also been announced. These are: £10.4 million for an enhanced Farm Business Advice Service (FBAS) offering up to five days of free 75W business advice for farmers whose livestock have been slaughtered under the foot and mouth control measures; £2 million in grant aid made available under a new round of the Agricultural Development Scheme, to improve marketing performance and competitiveness of sectors affected by foot and mouth; and £3 million for a targeted trade development and market campaign, made available through Food from Britain which will co-ordinate their campaign with the Countryside Agency, Meat and Livestock Commission and others with an active interest.
The FBAS is a free and confidential service which offers up to five days advisory time to be provided by an experienced farm business adviser and is available to any farmer in England who has had stock compulsorily slaughtered as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. It will be available until March 2003. We have sent a letter to all farmers in this category.
An adviser will review the farmer's business and arrange for an environmental evaluation to be conducted by an appropriate specialist. The adviser will then help them prepare a whole farm recovery plan which will help farmers to develop new income opportunities and access the range of other support measures available to them. Advice is also provided on re-stocking.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the guidelines on access to holdings which lost stock owing to the recent foot and mouth outbreak, with specific reference to those tasked to advise farmers on future opportunities. [8534]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 18 November 2001]: The guidelines drawn up by DEFRA, which are also used by the Farm Business Advice Service, are currently being further revised. Until now, other Government agencies have drawn up and disseminated their own guidelines for use by their staff in consultation with DEFRA. However, it is expected that when the new guidelines are issued, all Government personnel will adhere to them when visiting any agricultural premise. The revised guidelines will be placed on the DEFRA website.