§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what fundingis available to farmers to diversify into tourism outside objective 1 areas. [13019]
§ Alun MichaelOutside objective 1 areas, the main source of Government funding for farmers wishing to diversify into rural tourism is the Rural Enterprise Scheme. Rural tourism is a high national priority within the suite of measures supported by RES. The proportion of the £152 million RES budget allocated to rural tourism, like all other measures under the scheme, is determined at the regional level in the light of consultation with local stakeholders. DEFRA also offers assistance in the form of free planning consultancy advice to farmers who intend to pursue an eligible RES diversification project, which may include diversification into rural tourism. The RES is not available in objective 1 areas but equivalent funds are available through the objective 1 Programme for each area. Other funding for farm-based tourism projects which utilise existing farm buildings is available from Regional Development agencies in the form of redundant building grant.