HL Deb 24 January 1979 vol 397 cc1545-6WA
Lord O'HAGAN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is their aim to bring farmhouse cider production to an end; what grants are available for the plantation and cultivation of cider orchards; and to what extent official statistics show that farmhouse cider making has declined over the last 10 years.

Lord STRABOLGI

Her Majesty's Government believe that farmhouse cider production has its part to play in the cider industry. To this end small farm-house cider producers were exempted from payment of excise duty in 1976 by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. As regards grants, cider apple growers are eligible for the same wide range of capital items as any other horticulturalists under the Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme and the Horticulture Capital Grant Scheme, provided that the rules of eligibility of the schemes are met. As the noble Lord is already aware, official statistics do not distinguish between farmhouse cider makers and others.