HC Deb 15 March 2001 vol 364 cc711-2W
Mr. Kidney

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what the budget for research and development into organic and other non-intensive farming methods is in the 2000–01 financial year; what the main(a) budget headings and (b) contracts let are; and how much has been spent to date; [153162]

(2) what the budget for research and development into organic and other non-intensive farming methods is for the 2001–02 financial year; and what the main budget headings are. [153163]

Ms Quin

The budget for organic farming research in MAFF for the financial year 2000–01 is £2,139,000. This is not broken down into further budget headings. The level of commitment of this budget is £2,157,000, which funds 39 projects. A list of current projects is available in the Libraries of the House.

MAFF is also funding £2,150,000 of research in 2000–01 on non-intensive livestock production. There is no specific budget heading for this research but a list of the 37 current projects has been placed in the Library of the House.

In addition, the organic farming sector also benefits from much of the other research the Ministry undertakes, for example, its planned spend on research into biological control techniques, plant health, animal welfare and wildlife conservation on farms of over £14.3 million in 2000–01 and over £13.8 million in 2001–02.

With regard to the financial year 2001–02, the budget for organic farming research in MAFF is £2,139,000. This is not broken down into further budget headings. The budget for non-intensive livestock production research in MAFF for financial year 2001–02 is £2,421,000.

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