§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to provide financial assistance to farms which were subject to Form D restrictions. [11735]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 1 November 2001]: Farms subject to Form D restrictions are eligible for assistance from the Farms Business Advice Service which was launched last year with a budget of £5.25 million. It provides free on-farm advice for up to three days to farmers to help them develop better business practices, diversify or decide to leave the industry. An additional £1.5 million was made available in November.
These farmers may also seek help through the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise.
Under the EU state aid rules, we are unable to offer additional financial assistance to these farmers through the Business Recovery Fund, established to help a range of businesses following the impact of FMD.