§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the 589W eligibility requirements are of the Agricultural Development Scheme; and what will be the number and value of the grants distributed. [73757]
§ Mr. MorleyThe eligiblity criteria are set out in the guidance notes for the scheme. In summary, projects must concern the organisation, promotion, encouragement, development, co-ordination or facilitation of the marketing of produce and not be eligible for aid under another grant scheme. Only non-capital expenditure can be grant aided, up to a maximum grant of £0.5m and a maximum grant rate of 50 per cent. Grant can only be awarded for "additional" activities (i.e. the applicant must demonstrate that the project would not take place without grant—or would only proceed on a significantly smaller of slower scale).
The number and value of grants will be decided in the light of the quality of applications received and the resources available, within the overall limits on individual projects summarised above. The resources available will be determined as part of our planned strategy for sustainable food and farming.
§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the priorities are of the new Agricultural Development Scheme. [73758]
§ Mr. MorleyThe priorities for the Agricultural Development Scheme are:
- Co-operation/ collaboration benefiting primary producers;
- Benchmarking and spread of best practice;
- Assurance schemes; and
- Projects opening up new markets, for example, using crops for raw materials for industry.
Other projects will also be considered