§ Mr. TredinnickTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to help new entrants to farming; and if he will make a statement. [32729]
§ Mr. BaldryThe quota schemes which currently operate in the beef and sheep sectors include special arrangements which allow new entrants access to quota from the sheep and suckler cow scheme national reserves. Milk quotas pose a special problem; the Department has in the past looked at ways of attempting to assist new entrants but there are fundamental difficulties to be overcome. However, the Government are ready to consider proposals from the dairy industry for an industry-run scheme.
The introduction of farm business tenancies will help to ensure that more land is available for new entrants to rent. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors has estimated that within two years more than 300,000 hectares of extra land will be offered for rent as a result of the flexibility provided by the new arrangements.
An extensive range of courses are available to prospective new entrants through agricultural colleges. New entrants can also take advantage of the extensive range of training courses available through ATB-Landbase and other training providers.
Banks provide general business start up and planning advice that would meet most of the requirements of new entrants for general information. We are also working, through our contact with ATB-Landbase, to raise awareness of skills gaps and deficiencies and the benefits, both to new and established business, of strategic business planning and training. Training and enterprise councils also have a role to play through business start up activities and business links will be an important contact point for new entrants seeking advice on business set up and development matters.