§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will seek a meeting with officials of the European Commission to discuss the future of the Scottish aquaculture industry and measures which the EC might take to promote the sustainable development of the industry. [48045]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 10 April 2002]: The future of the Scottish aquaculture industry is principally a matter for the Scottish Executive. The Executive has not asked Officials from This Department to arrange discussions with officials from the European Commission on Scottish aquaculture, and no such discussions are in prospect.
§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what investment her Department has made in fish farming in(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02, broken down into expenditure headings. [48047]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 10 April 2002]: Departmental expenditure on fish and shellfish farming for the three years in question was as follows:
- 1999–2000——£1.9 million;
- 2000–01——£1.5 million; and
- 2001–02——£1.2 million.
The bulk of this expenditure relates to research and development work but it also includes relatively small sums paid out under the Agriculture Development Scheme and FIFG Structural Funds.
§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department(a) has taken and (b) plans to take to promote the fish farming industry. [48049]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 10 April 2002]: In March 2000 the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food hosted a seminar entitled "Future Strategies for the Farmed Trout Industry" involving all sectors of the industry in England. That seminar and a subsequent study considered ideas for improving competitiveness including generic promotion. In the light of this, the industry is considering its strategy for future development and we expect to be involved in discussions on this and on how this Department might help the industry to achieve its developmental goals.
§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with other European countries which operate national compensation schemes for losses608W incurred by fish farmers as a result of the compulsory slaughter of farmed fish; and what information she collates about such schemes. [48044]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 10 April 2002]: To date this Department has had no such discussions; no information has been collated about the operation of national compensation schemes by other European countries.