Sir Don Curry

HC Deb 28 May 2004 vol 422 cc233-4W

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the role of Sir Don Curry in ensuring new entrant initiatives in farming. [169649]

Alun Michael

Sir Don Curry is Chair of the independent Implementation Group that has been set up to oversee and drive forward delivery of the Government's Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy.

As part of the Strategy, Defra has undertaken to discuss with interested stakeholders possible mechanisms to help overcome barriers to new entrants. Defra has also undertaken to work co-operatively with proposals from the NFU and the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs in respect of advice for new entrants and mechanisms to bring together new entrants and retiring farmers.

In addition, to inform discussion of this issue, Defra has commissioned research on entry to and exit from farming in the United Kingdom, the results of which will be published in due course.