§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to encourage hill farmers under 40 years old to remain on the land.
§ Mr. AncramThe Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland operates a range of measures which either directly benefit or are available to hill farmers. None of these measures is specific to any particular age group.
In addition to the normal range of common agricultural policy support schemes farmers in the less-favoured areas are eligible for hill livestock compensatory allowances and an LFA supplement under the sheep annual premium scheme.
As part of its recently announced rural development programme the Department of Agriculture will be giving priority to proposals coming forward from the most deprived rural areas of Northern Ireland which would 477W include much of the land owned and worked by hill farmers. The programme will build on the concept of involving local communities in the development of plans for their areas. It may provide assistance for a range of beneficiaries—collectives, co-operatives and rural community organisations—with the aim of strengthening the rural economy and maintaining viable rural communities. There is considerable scope for farmers and their families to become involved in the programme. The EC Leader II rural development initiative will also target partnerships and may assist with such activities as on-farm and off-farm diversification and small rural enterprises.
Bankruptcies Companies wound up Total 1Costs £000 1987–88 169 52 221 449 1988–89 176 62 238 518 1989–90 243 66 309 542 1990–91 318 82 400 745 1991–92 293 101 394 803 1992–92 495 90 585 978 1993–94 487 86 573 1,090 1 The costs column represents salaries and wages and general administration expenses.