§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the cost of the proposed level of IPPC charges to farmers in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) each of the other member states of the European Union. [120583]
§ Mr. Nick BrownAs part of the Government's Action Plan for Farming it was confirmed that, subject to agreement with the industry on a system of general binding rules, the Environment Agency's interim and longer-term charge for an IPPC permit in England and Wales should be less than half the £12,000-£18,000 originally proposed. IPPC charges in Scotland are devolved and are therefore a matter for Scottish Ministers. Arrangements for Northern Ireland are still being considered. Our inquiries indicate248W that many other member states will be passing on costs for IPPC to intensive livestock installations, although some have yet to decide how to implement IPPC and what charges will be made. The Environment Agency is currently undertaking a fuller study of the position which will inform the development of a longer-term charging scheme in England and Wales.