19. Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what help his Department provides to farmers seeking to convert to organic production.[137152]
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§ Mr. MorleyThe Organic Farming Scheme provides conversion aid over a five year period to farmers in England. The budget for the Scheme for the period 1999–2000 to 2006–07 is some £140 million.
In addition, the Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS) funded by MAFF provides free advice to potential organic farmers.
§ Ms DrownTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many successful applications have been made to the organic farming scheme since May 1997; and how many were made in the previous five years.[137147]
§ Mr. MorleyAid for conversion to organic farming has been provided since 1994, first under the Organic Aid Scheme and from April 1999 under the Organic Fanning Scheme. There were 158 successful aid applications prior to April 1997 and 1,567 successful applications since that date.