HC Deb 27 July 1989 vol 157 cc963-4W
Mr. David Shaw

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

Mr. Gummer

[holding answer 24 July 1989]: The Government's general policy towards small businesses is to create a climate in which they can flourish and to provide measures that support and help stimulate their development.

My Department has contributed significantly to this process. We have consistently worked for a more market-orientated common agricultural policy. Our success in this area has been of benefit to both large and small businesses in the agricultural industry. Important reforms of the CAP were brought into effect in 1988–89. Agricultural spending has been brought under control and surpluses have been greatly reduced. These achievements have helped to create a much more secure framework within which farmers can make their business decisions. They have also fostered a competitive and efficient industry, well placed to benefit from the opportunities which the completion of the single internal market will bring.

We have sought to enable farmers to benefit from the economic climate that this Government have created. We have encouraged farmers—in particular those with smaller businesses which may not be viable on the basis of agriculture alone—to look carefully at their assets so as to identify all possible opportunities for generating income; and we have introduced a range of income-generating schemes, designed to encourage farmers to seek alternative sources of income without creating surpluses. Within the last 12 months we have introduced the farm woodland scheme, set-aside, the farm and conservation grant scheme, and feasibility and marketing grants under the farm diversification grant scheme. We have also expanded our efforts on existing schemes, such as environmentally sensitive areas. These measures not only help the individual participants, but bring environmental and other benefits, contributing significantly to the viability and vitality of the rural economy as a whole.

All the schemes operated by my Department are closely monitored. Reports on particular schemes are published from time to time.

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