§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance is being provided for farmers to diversify and to generate income from new sources. [65707]
§ Mr. MorleyFunding to encourage a wide range of agricultural activities, including farm diversification, is available in the six areas designated to receive assistance under the English Objective 5b Structural Fund Programmes. No grant aid for farm diversification is available outside these areas. However, in order to assist292W farmers in developing successful diversified enterprises, the Ministry has produced a series of advisory booklets on farm diversification.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what incentives and support his Department is providing to farmers to pursue an agri-environmentally friendly farming policy. [65706]
§ Mr. MorleyMAFF operates a wide ranging package of voluntary environmental schemes aimed at encouraging farmers to conserve the countryside and its wildlife. Financial provision for England's agri-environment programme this year is £82 million. Following the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review we have announced that we aim to expand the areas protected and enhanced under the agri-environment schemes. During the next three years an additional £40 million will be available in England for improvements and enhancements to these schemes.
Through ADAS and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, MAFF also funds free initial advice to farmers in England on all aspects of conservation, farm woodland and set-aside. The financial provision for advice this year is over £1 million.
Revised Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water, Air and Soil, together with a new summary leaflet, were launched in October 1998. The Codes are designed to provide clear, practical advice to farmers and represent the industry standard of good practice for the prevention of agricultural pollution.