§ Lord Beaumont of Whitleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there will be funding for land entering conversion to organic status this year; if so, when the details will be announced; and, if not, why not. [HL3281]
§ Baroness HaymanThe Organic Farming Scheme is closed to new applications while a review of the scheme is carried out. However, the Government have announced planned expenditure of £140 million for organic conversion over the life of the England Rural Development Plan, commencing in April 2001. In the meantime the Government continue to support the provision of free, on-farm advice to farmers delivered by the Organic Conversion Information Service.