§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are undertaking to improve the marketing of milk. [71761]
Year Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme (pre-ERDP)* ERDP Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme ERDP Rural Enterprise Scheme Total 1997 28 — — 28 1998 21 — — 21 1999 22 — — 22 2000 4 0 0 4 2001 Closed 27 198 225 * Closed to new applicants in England in 1996. The figures shown reflect final payments made to successful projects in each of the relevant years. Current indications are that the number of businesses helped under RES and PMG will be significantly higher this year, at around double last year's figures, as applications increase from the foot and mouth affected levels of 2001.
Assistance is also available to rural businesses under other grant schemes but it would not be possible to identify the number of new or expanding businesses resulting from such assistance except at disproportionate cost.
In addition Regional Development Agencies are required to support the creation of new businesses in both rural and non-rural areas using DEFRA as well as other Departments' funding contributions. Information on the number of businesses stimulated is, however, unavailable.