Organic Farming (Hansard, 12 November 2003)

§ Gregory Barker
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the level of financial support in the EU for organic farming. [137272]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
It is not possible to comment on the direct level of financial support available in other member states since the mix of land types and crops on which aid is based varies so greatly. The latest information we have on aid available elsewhere in the European Union however suggests that the recent increase in support payments being made available under the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), which is part of the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) and which encourages the expansion of organic production, is generally comparable to what is available elsewhere in the Community.
Under the OFS, farmers moving from conventional to organic farming methods receive financial help during the conversion process. From 30 May, assistance is now also being made available under the scheme for existing organic farmers who comply with certain environmental measures. The following table shows Defra's spending in the financial year 2002–03 on financial and other support for organic farming:

£

Category of support Total spend2002–03

Financial support: Under the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) 12,567.000

Other support: Defra funding for the Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS) 301,000

Defra funding for research for development purposes which includes a large component dealing with research on organic farming 1.809,000

§ Gregory Barker
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what(a) financial and (b) other support was provided to organic farming in the last year for which figures are available. [137273]
303W

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The following table shows Defra's spending in the financial year 2002–03 on financial and other support for organic farming:

£

Category of support Total Spend 2002–03

(a) Financial support: Under the Organic Farming Scheme
(OFS), which is part of the England Rural Development
Programme (ERDP).
12,567,000

(b) Other support: Organic Conversion Information
Service (OCIS).
301,000

Defra funding for research for development purposes which includes a large component dealing with research on organic farming. 1,809,000

£
Category of support	Total spend2002–03
Financial support: Under the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS)	12,567.000
Other support: Defra funding for the Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS)	301,000
Defra funding for research for development purposes which includes a large component dealing with research on organic farming	1.809,000

£
Category of support	Total Spend 2002–03
(a) Financial support: Under the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), which is part of the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP).	12,567,000
(b) Other support: Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS).	301,000
Defra funding for research for development purposes which includes a large component dealing with research on organic farming.	1,809,000