HC Deb 31 October 2002 vol 391 cc919-20W
Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent and how many farmers have been supported, by category, through the(a) England Rural Development Programme and (b) Farm Business Advisory Service in (i) 2000–01, (ii) 2001–02 and (iii) 2002–03 to date. [78386]

Alun Michael

England Rural Development Programme (ERDP)

Total amount spent in each year
£
2000–2001 2001–2002 2002–2003
122.61 167.2 50.0
1The ERDP was approved by the European Commission on 11 October 2000. Expenditure recorded against the programme did not start until 16 October 2000. This is the date on which the European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (under which CAP payments are Made) year commences.

The total number of those supported in each year2
2000–2001 2001–2002 2002–2003
25,828 26,089 7,217
2This includes farmers and non-farmers in receipt of payments from any of the ten ERDP schemes. Those benefiting from more than one scheme are counted only once. It is not possible separately to identify figures for farmers and for non-farmer recipients, or to break down the figures by type of farm other than at disproportionate cost.

Farm Business Advisory Service (FBAS)

Total amount spent each year
£
2000–2001 2001–2002 2002–2003
4.1 6.8 0.95
Total number of first visits
2000–2001 2001–2002 2002–2003
3,480 3,102 789
Total number of action whole farm plans completed (for core and enhanced service)
2000–2001 2001–2002 2002–2003
2,012 2,955> 916

It is not possible to identify the numbers of farmers by type of farm in either scheme without incurring disproportionate costs.