§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much(a) her Department has spent and (b) has been raised through (i) its agricultural export promotion service and (ii) Food from Britain in each of the last 10 years. [87949]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 19 December 2002]The information is as follows:
(a) Departmental spend on its agricultural export promotion service1 Year Spend £000 2001–02 1,111 2000–01 1,240 1999–2000 1,318 1998–99 1,407 1997–98 1,240 1996–97 1,384 1995–96 1,651 1 Cash prices. Figures for years prior to 1995/6 not available because of organisational changes. Note:
The Department has not charged for any aspect of its export promotion service and consequently, no money has been raised through this service.
(b) Departmental grants to Food from Britain and amounts raised by Food from Britain through fee income for specific services provided to companies or organisations 1992–20021 £000 Departmental grant to FFB FFB fee1 income for services provided 2001–02 7,868 7,787 2000–01 5,402 7,029 1999–2000 4,986 6,406 1998–99 5,282 7,234 1997–98 4,918 6,491 1996–97 5,318 6,177 1995–96 5,400 6,165 1994–95 5,249 4,698 1993–94 5,009 4,026 1992–93 4,757 3,836 1Cash price.
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to promote agricultural exports from small and medium sized businesses in the UK. [87951]
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§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 19 December 2002]Defra's Agricultural Exports Branch has a varied programme of export promotion measures, including seminars, inward trade missions and a presence at key trade events abroad, all designed to provide a showcase for British excellence in agriculture. These measures are specifically devised to benefit small and medium sized companies and producers.
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received from and discussions she has had with(a) the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, (b) ERM Consultancy and (c) other organisations and individuals regarding the export promotion service for agricultural exports. [87950]
§ Mr. MorleyMy right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment has received a letter from the Minister of State for International Trade and Investment, enclosing a copy of a report undertaken for her by ERM assessing the effectiveness of various central Government Departments international trade support services. ERM's consultants had previously had discussion with DEFRA officials. Ministerial colleagues have also received representations regarding the agricultural export promotion service from the China-Britain Business Council, the hon. Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant) and two individual companies.