HC Deb 13 April 2000 vol 348 c270W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Government's policies on sustainable agriculture. [117736]

Mr. Nick Brown

In December 1999 this Government set out their long-term strategy for the development of a sustainable industry that must be competitive, diverse, flexible, responsive to consumer demands and environmentally responsible. The Plan I announced on 30 March will help steer the industry in a new direction; it will help ensure that Government and industry work together to find ways to improve profitability; and it provides financial support to ease the process of change for the hardest hit sectors. The Government continue to work to secure a more market-oriented CAP.