§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what help was given to farmers' markets in England in 2001–02. [139041]
§ Mr. BradshawDuring the financial year 2001–02, Defra provided the following help to farmers' markets in England:
- funding to help the National Association of Farmers' Markets (NAFM), the umbrella organisation for farmers' markets, re-launch farmers' markets following the foot and mouth outbreak;
- funding under the Agriculture Development Scheme to NAFM for the publication of information booklets to help producers develop their knowledge of sales and marketing, and to help NAFM develop its certification programme for accrediting farmers' markets; and
- funding under the Rural Enterprise Scheme for the Somerset Farmers' Market Company.
In addition, the Countryside Agency, which we grant aid, provided start-up funding to NAFM.