§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to amend the law to allow the Environment Agency access to farm census information and IACs returns. [87182]
§ Margaret BeckettInformation can already be released to the Environment Agency in accordance with the provisions of the Agricultural Statistics Act 1979 and the Data Protection Act 1998 but subject to the safeguards provided for in that legislation. Officials are in discussion with the Environment Agency about information requirements and how they may be met.