§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's budget is for research and development into organic farming; and if she will make a statement. [114852]
§ Mr. MeacherThe budget for research and development on organic farming was £2.029 million in 2002–03, and is £2.229 million for 2003–04. These figures include £200,000 spend via the Organic LINK programme.
The planned/target Organic LINK spend, which is dependant on successful bids being co-funded from industry, is £400,000 in 2003–04, £700,000 in 2004–05, and then £1.3 million for the next three years—a total of £5 million.
In addition, the organic farming sector also benefits from much of the other research the Department undertakes, for example, its planned spend of over £12.8 million on biological control techniques, plant health, animal welfare and wildlife conservation on farms this year.