Farming Co-operatives

HC Deb 13 March 1980 vol 980 cc704-5W

54. Mr. Freud

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what encouragement he is giving to farming co-operatives.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Grants to co-operatives are available under the agricultural and horticultural co-operation Scheme. Subject to parliamentary approval, this scheme will be renewed for a further three years from May 1980, and funds will also continue to be available to the Central Council for Agricultural and Horticultural Co-operation to encourage improvements in co-operative marketing. Certain changes are being made in the council's organisation, in order to improve its effectiveness in the fields of co-operation and marketing.