HC Deb 20 November 2003 vol 413 cc1194-5W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what grants are available to(a) dairy, (b) arable, (c) sheep, (d) beef, (e) poultry and (f) pig farmers in the Chorley constituency. [140023]

Mr. Bradshaw

Farmers in Chorley can apply to participate in the following schemes under the England Rural Development Programme: Countryside Stewardship Scheme, Organic Farming Scheme, Farm Woodland Premium Scheme, Woodland Grant Scheme, Energy Crops Scheme, Vocational Training Scheme, Processing and Marketing Grant, and Rural Enterprise Scheme. Any sheep and suckler cow producers whose holdings are within or part within the Less Favoured Area boundary are entitled to claim Hill Farm Allowance.

The Farm Waste Grant (Nitrate Vulnerable Zones) Scheme provides help to farmers in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones who are installing or improving farm waste facilities.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on grants given by regional development agencies for agricultural shows in(a) England and (b) the North West over the last two years. [139263]

Jacqui Smith

I have been asked to reply.

I have not been able to answer this Question before Prorogation. I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy in the Libraries of the House.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the grant given to the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society by the North West Development Agency for the 2003 Royal Lancashire Show. [139264]

Jacqui Smith

I have been asked to reply.

The Lancashire Rural Recovery Partnership, which is funded by the North West Development Agency, provided a grant of £32,578 to fund some of the marketing costs for the 2003 Royal Lancashire Show. This was to help publicise the fact that the Show was taking place at a new venue for the first time in 2003. The funding also contributed towards the promotion of a local product event aimed at generating awareness of local speciality products.

Mr. Hood

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 17th November; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement. [139941]

Margaret Beckett

I will write to my hon. Friend with this information shortly.