§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many deer farmers there are in England; and what were the corresponding figures for the past 10 years.
§ Mr. BishopI regret that this information is not available. Deer farming in England is still at an experimental stage.
§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many deer farmers in England received fencing grants during the past five years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangDuring the past five years two deer farmers have received grants for fencing in England.
Grants can be made available to deer farmers under the capital grants schemes provided they conform to the statutory and other rules of those schemes, the deer are kept solely for agricultural purposes and in a similar manner as other domestic farm animals.