§ Mr. Geraint HowellsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the National Farmers Unions of England and Scotland and the Farmers Union of Wales to encourage their members to continue producing beef, lamb and pig production to meet consumers' requirements.
§ Mr. CurryAt the Prime Minister's seminar on food marketing on 15 November my right hon. Friend the Minister announced two important new initiatives to help farmers produce what consumers want. A new group marketing grant, worth £5.4 million over the next three years, is being introduced to encourage groups of farmers to develop and expand. Within the Ministry a new market task force has been set up to identify and disseminate information on broad market opportunities to farmers. All sectors of the industry have welcomed these new initiatives.
I am pleased that the National Farmers Union has also announced a new food from the countryside initiative to bring farmers and customers together, and to help farmers develop the necessary business skills.
The message to livestock and other producers is that they should collaborate and get closer to the market. That will provide opportunities to increase the market share for British food at home and abroad.