HC Deb 31 January 2002 vol 379 cc458-9W
24. Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on Government policy towards the production of organic food for children. [29560]

Mr. Morley

We wish to secure the success of organic farming and will be looking at all aspects of the organic food market in the organics action plan which I have announced.

36. Kevin Brennan

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the proportion of organically produced food consumed in(a) the UK and (b) other EU countries which is imported; and if she will make a statement. [29573]

Mr. Morley

UK producers' share of the organic market varies widely between different products but it is estimated that overall imports account for about 70 to 80 per cent. of the value of organic food sold in the UK. We do not have information on the position in other EU countries.

The relatively low overall share of the organic market supplied by UK producers is one of the issues to be addressed in the action plan for organic farming announced at the end of last year.

Albert Owen

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will outline the subsidies available to encourage farmers to become organic farmers; and what subsidies are available in other EU member states. [29349]

Mr. Morley

Under the England Rural Development Programme, support is granted over five years at varying amounts depending on the type of land for conversion to organic farming. Total payments over five years range from £50 to £450 per hectare. In addition, farmers are offered three lump sum payments totally £600 towards the cost of training.

The Organic Conversion Information Service provides free on-farm advice to prospective organic farmers to assist them to evaluate suitability of their farms for organic production methods.

Information about support in other member states of the Community is available at www.organic-europe.net

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what(a) regional and (b) local strategies her Department is pursuing to inform consumers about the availability of organic produce; and if she will make a statement; [31074]

(2) what she is doing to promote the use of organic food produce among other Government Departments; and if she will make a statement. [31073]

Mr. Morley

We have already made considerable support available to encourage conversion to organic farming, which has increased the quantities of UK organic produce available. The Action Plan for organic farming, which we will be developing with stakeholders in the light of the recommendations of the Policy Commission, will address all aspects of the organic food market.