§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) which Curry Commission recommendations will be implemented; [72456]
(2) what percentage of her budget increase will be spent on the implementation of the Curry Commission's report; [72455]
(3) when she will outline the new strategy for sustainable food and farming in England; [73749]
(4) what specific reforms in line with the Curry report she estimates will be made possible by the Comprehensive Spending Review. [73779]
§ Mr. MorleyMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 26 March a series of early actions as a first step towards implementing the Policy Commission's report. A new Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food in England will be launched in the autumn. This will incorporate a response to all of the Policy Commission's recommendations arid include details of a range of policy measures.
The recent Spending Review settlement demonstrates the Government's commitment to delivering on the vision identified in the report, providing the resources to address the Commission's core recommendations, including those aimed at improving the competitiveness of farming and the food chain and enhancing the ability of farming to deliver environmental benefits.
From our increased post-Spending Review budget of around £2.8bn p.a., more than £500m will be made available for investment in sustainable farming and food over the three years of the Spending Review. This includes an increase of £200m in 2005–06, which will allow full roll-out of an entry-level agri-environment scheme in that year, following successful pilots.