HL Deb 23 January 1995 vol 560 c63WA
Lord Redesdale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In view of their commitment at the Rio Summit to support sustainable agriculture, what steps are being taken to stimulate organic systems of agriculture in developing countries with a view to improving the productivity of farmers unable to afford imported chemical inputs.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The ODA has prepared a sustainable agriculture strategy aimed at maintaining or enhancing the productivity of the natural resource base while improving long-term food security. A copy has been placed in the Libraries of the House. ODA officials are in regular contact with representatives of the UK organic movement about the contribution that organic systems can make to the strategy, and a number of project proposals are being developed.

During 1994, the ODA supported eight projects in east and west Africa on organic approaches to sustainable agriculture at a total cost of over £1 million.