§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he received from the Deputy Prime Minister on the subject of his recent talk to Action with Communities in Rural England, with particular reference to its title. [49017]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 6 July 1998]: None.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the(a) original and (b) final titles of his recent address to Action with Communities in Rural England. [49015]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 6 July 1998]: The title of this address, delivered by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, was 'An Integrated Strategy for Rural Affairs'.
(£/ha) Farm type Conventional net margin Final organic system net margin Additional profit (loss) from organic system Specialist dairy1 1,489 1,654 165 Mainly dairy1 1,077 1,178 101 Mainly arable2 (major change to enterprise mix) 642 544 (98) Mainly arable2 (minimum change) 517 583 66 Stockless arable3 745 767 22 Lowland livestock2 621 556 (65) Upland livestock2 450 482 32 Hill livestock4 (i.e. mainly rough grazing) 338 318 (20) 1Assumes premium of 3.5p/1 for organic milk 2Assumes premia £40/tonnes feed wheat, £70/tonne milling wheat (arable scenararios only, 50% of wheat assumed to be of milling quality), 10% livestock. Organic profitability would be significantly higher if potatoes could be included in the rotation 3Assumes premia £40/tonne feed wheat, £70/tonne milling wheat, £70/tonne potatoes, 10% livestock 4Assumes premium of 10% for livestock Further details are contained in the Review of the Organic Aid Scheme, a copy of which has been placed in the House.
These figures are based on models of average farms and the economics for individual businesses will vary. Farmers considering conversion to organic farming should assess the implications for their own businesses. Free advice, including a telephone help line and on-farm advisory visits, is available from the Organic Conversion Information Service (01179 227707), funded by the Ministry.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has evaluated into the feasibility of organic hill farming. [48787]