§ Mr. Steenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what grants are currently available for the establishment of English vineyards and ancillary purposes in the light of his alternative land use policy.
§ Mr. Donald Thompson[pursuant to his reply, 9 April 1987]: Grants are currently available for certain works in vineyards under the agriculture improvement scheme. As my right hon. Friend announced on 9 February, he intends to introduce new grants to assist farm diversification, including on-farm processing of agricultural products. A consultative document will be issued shortly, which I shall send to my hon. Friend.
481W
§ Mr. Steenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider making grants available for the establishment of English vineyards for (a) the purchase of vines, (b) their support, (c) trellising, (d) wiring and (e) windbreaks.
§ Mr. Donald Thompson[pursuant to his reply, 9 April 1987]: The growing of grapes is among the activities for which grants are available, subject to eligibility, under the agricultural improvement scheme. The scheme makes specific provision for grants towards the cost of stakes and wireworks and for certain types of shelter screens. Grants are not, however, available for the purchase of vines.
§ Mr. Steenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to ensure that only English-produced sugar and not rectified concentrated grape must from Italy is permitted to be added to the fermentation process of English wine until such time as enrichment is necessary or permitted.
§ Mr. Donald Thompson[pursuant to his reply, 9 April 1987]: The Community wine regulations provide for the addition of sugar, concentrated grape must or rectified concentrated grape must in the process of wine fermentation. While enrichment using sugar is the normal practice among English wine producers there is no reason why they should be prevented from using the approved alternatives and it would be contrary to Community law were the United Kingdom seek to limit their choice in the way suggested.
§ Mr. Steenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to resist any attempts to impose rectified concentrated grape must in the production of English wine until such time as enrichment is necessary and permitted.
§ Mr. Donald Thompson[pursuant to his reply, 9 April 1987] : Under article 20 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 822/87, the European Commission is committed to studying the possibilities for enriching wine with sugar, or concentrated grape must, whether or not rectified. This study and its conclusions are due to be reported to the Council in 1990, although it is possible that the Council may decide in the context of this year's price fixing proposals that the date should be brought forward. When the study is completed, I shall consider in consultation with all the interests concerned any recommendations it may make for changes to Community law, including a recommendation, should there be one, to require the use of rectified concentrated grape must for enrichment.