§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will detail the measures being taken by his Department to encourage diversification into organic farming.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonWe have already set the framework for organic production by establishing under the auspices of Food From Britain the United Kingdom register of organic food standards which sets standards for the production and processing of organic produce and serves as a quality assurance mark for consumers.
The set-aside scheme offers farmers an opportunity to switch to organic methods: land may be put to fallow either for the full five year set-aside period or in rotation with cropping, thus allowing land to be taken out of intensive production and cleared of chemical residues. We are also considering whether the European Community arable extensification scheme, which is due to be implemented shortly, might include provision to assist a switch to organic production methods.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will identify the sums of money paid by his Department to organic farmers in Scotland in the past five years.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe assistance from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland to the farming industry is generally available to both organic and other farmers on the same basis and it is not possible to identify separately the sums paid to organic farmers. Assistance aimed specifically at promoting the development of organic farming includes the funding of research and development work carried out by the Scottish agricultural colleges. The recently-launched joint pilot project to be carried out by the Edinburgh university centre for human ecology and the Edinburgh school of agriculture to demonstrate the viability of organic farming has also attracted public funding from the Scottish Development Agency as well as support from the European Community and Safeway plc. Part of the Scottish Development Agency contribution will assist the Scottish Organic Producers' Association with market development work and will help to meet the cost of providing training and marketing advice to organic producers.
§ Mr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farmers were employed in each county in Scotland in June 1989.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonScottish counties ceased to be used for agricultural statistics purposes after 1975 following local government reform. When regional results for June 1989 become available my noble Friend the Minister of State will write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farm workers were employed in each county in Scotland in June 1989.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonScottish counties ceased to be used for agricultural statistics purposes after 1975 following local government reform. When regional results for June 1989 become available my noble Friend the Minister of State will write to the hon. Member.