Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what grants his Department makes available to farmers to help them convert redundant agricultural buildings; and if he will make a statement. [108710]
§ Mr. MorleyThe England Rural Development Plan sets out my Department's proposal to run a new Rural Enterprise Scheme, under Article 33 of the Rural Development Regulation, to aid farm diversification and other activities. These grants would cover the conversion of redundant agricultural buildings, subject to planning permission being granted. The Plan proposes expenditure of £152 million between 2000 and 2006, subject to the Spending Review 2000 and approval from the European Commission.