Organic Farming (Hansard, 25 November 1999)

HC Deb 25 November 1999 vol 339 cc204-5W 204W

§ 20. Mr. Pickthall
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the organic farming scheme. [98857]
205W

§ Mr. Morley
On 4 October we announced a review of the Organic Farming Scheme, which provides aid to farmers converting to organic farming. The cost effectiveness of the scheme is an issue which will be considered in this review.

§ Mr. Sheerman
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the change in the amount of land under organic conversion since the start of the Organic Farming Scheme. [99214]

§ Mr. Morley
To date, farmers have entered some 75,000 hectares into conversion under the Organic Farming Scheme since its launch in April 1999.