§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) for what reasons the Fur Farming (Compensation Scheme) (England) Order 2001 (SI 2001, No 3853) does not make provision for(a) the value of male animals and (b) the differential value of different breed of mink; [27755]
(2) for what reasons the Fur Farming (Compensation Scheme) (England) Order 2001 (SI 2001, No 3853) reduces the compensation payable for the value of breeding stock where (a) the farmer elected to cease keeping mink after 1 October 2001 and (b) the farmer elected to cease keeping mink nine months before the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act 2000 comes into force. [27757]
§ Mr. MorleyUnder section 5(1) of the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act 2000, fur farmers are able to close down at any time between enactment on 23 November 2000 and the coming into force of the ban on 1 January 2003, without affecting their eligibility for compensation. This winding-down period of more than two years allows each fur farmer to choose the best time when to close in order to mitigate any losses, including on breeding and young stock.
Those fur farmers who choose to close at a later date will derive greater returns for each breeding animal from the market, thus reducing the residual breeding value, and hence the level of compensation. Any differential in the 793W value of different breeds of mink will be reflected in the profitability of the enterprise for which compensation is being provided.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons the Fur Farming (Compensation Scheme) (England) Order 2001 (SI 2001, No. 3853) specifies(a) a fixed sum for the value of breeding stock, and (b) a fixed multiplier to determine qualifying income losses; and for what reason there is no appeal under the terms of the order to (a) arbitration and (b) to the Lands Tribunal. [27751]
§ Mr. MorleyUnder Section 5(1) of the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act 2000, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is required to make a compensation scheme. Due consideration was given to all relevant factors in producing such a scheme. It was not considered appropriate for the Government to leave the determination of the value of breeding stock and the income multiplier to an arbitrator or the Lands Tribunal, if they were to meet their obligation to make a scheme that is fair and reasonable. The calculation of average net trading profits could, however, be referred to an arbitrator or the Lands Tribunal.