§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers in the United Kingdom were paid over £1 million in subsidies; and what was the total amount of aid given to organic farming in Britain in the most recent year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. JackIt is not possible to establish, without disproportionate cost, the number of farmers in the United Kingdom paid over £1 million in subsidies.
No specific aid for organic producers has yet been paid but it is intended to begin an aid scheme later this year, made under the EC agri-environment regulation, which will encourage conversion to organic farming. Organic producers are of course able to benefit under all the schemes open to farmers generally. In addition, we have a programme of research and development into questions of concern to organic farmers and growers with funding of £1 million in the current financial year.