HC Deb 08 January 2002 vol 377 cc731-2W
Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost to public funds to date has been of the measures to assist in farm diversification as set out in "Planning Consultancy Advice for Farm Diversification", published by her Department. [13274]

Margaret Beckett

[holding answer 8 November 2001]: This scheme was launched on 12 September 2001 and has attracted a good level of interest from farmers. To date DEFRA has received 113 applications for planning consultancy advice, of which 62 have been approved so far. The cases approved have yet to result in any claims on public funds, which are only made once the consultant's work has been completed and the farmer satisfied with the service provided.

Ms Shipley

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers have taken up the Department's offer of free advice to help them diversify. [23702]

Mr. Morley

With regard to Free Planning Advice for farmers pursuing a viable diversification project, which was launched in September, to date we have received 373 applications; 237 of these have been approved; 97 are currently being processed.

In addition, the Farm Business Advice Service, which was introduced in October 2000 under the Action Plan for Farming and consists of three days of free on-farm business advice, is available to help farmers take stock of their businesses and decide on the future direction—whether it is improving their business, diversifying or leaving the industry. Since its launch, 7,613 farms have requested the service, 4,637 farms have received an initial diagnostic visit and 2,851 farms have received the full three-day service resulting in an Action Plan.