§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many of the recommendations contained in Farming and Food: A Sustainable Future have been(a) fully and (b) partially implemented. [105214]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 27 March 2003]: The Government fully accepted the analysis and vision set out in the Policy Commission's report. The vast majority of its 105 recommendations are being implemented within the Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food, which was launched on 12 December 2002. Good progress has already been made. Examples include the establishment of the Food Chain Centre, supporting English Farming and Food Partnerships (EFFP) under the Agricultural Development Scheme, and the launch of a new Entry-Level Pilot Scheme.
The Policy Commission's report made it clear that the onus is not on Government alone to deliver this change. Many of the Commission's recommendations are targeted wholly or partly at the food and farming industry, which has a pivotal part to play.
The Government has established an Implementation Group chaired by Sir Don Curry, former chair of the Policy Commission, to oversee and drive forward delivery of the Strategy at national and regional level. Implementation is being backed by £500 million over three years.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms there are in England; how much financial support they received from her Department in the latest available year; and if she will make a statement. [105080]
§ Mr. MorleyIn 2002 there were 146 thousand agricultural holdings in England. In total they received £1.7 billion in the form of direct subsidies. The Exchequer costs of market support is only available at the UK level but the England share of this can be broadly estimated to be £0.4 billion.