§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the success of the campaign introduced in 1991 by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland to reduce farm pollution from farms in river catchment areas as described in "Northern Ireland Expenditure Plans and Priorities 1994–95 to 1996–97", section 5.16(i); what were the costs of setting up this campaign; what were the costs of this campaign for 1994–95; and what are the projected costs of this campaign for 1996–97. [15427]
§ Mr. AncramMore than 30 per cent. of farmers took action to minimise the risk of pollution.
There were no additional costs in setting up the campaign. It was rather a focusing of existing resources to target high-risk farms on selected river catchments with a known history of pollution from agricultural activities.
Measures to reduce farm source pollution remain a priority. The Department of Agriculture offers free advice to farmers at a cost of £186,000 in 1994–95.
Projected costs for 1996–97 are broadly similar to 1994–95.