§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received in response to the Government paper, The Hill Farm Allowance Scheme in England; how many of them were from the West Country; and how long was the consultation period. [102172]
§ Ms QuinThe consultation paper was published on 5 November, and the deadline for responses was four weeks later on 3 December. By then we had received 48 responses. Most were from national organisations, but seven were sent from south-west interests.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what (a) economic and (b) environmental impact studies he has undertaken with regard to the effect on less favoured areas of the proposed Hill Farm Allowance Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [102173]
§ Ms QuinIn formulating the proposals account was taken of the evaluation report on the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance scheme in England which was published in April 1998, of the latest data on hill farm incomes, and of management reports on the less favoured areas overgrazing controls and other advice from the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency. The proposals also reflect an assessment of their likely redistributive effect. The impact of the new scheme will be monitored, and it will be reviewed in 2003.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the proposed Hill Farm Allowance Scheme will come into force in(a) England and (b) the rest of the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [102174]
§ Ms QuinThe proposed Hill Farm Allowance Scheme will apply only in England, and the first payments will be made during the early months of 2001.