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Badger Culling

Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress in the Randomised Badger Culling trial. [98736]

Ms Quin: Five of the ten triplets proposed for the trial have been announced so far. Culling operations have taken place in two triplets. Survey work has been completed in one further triplet and has been started in the others. We expect to announce one more triplet before the end of 1999, and the remainder next year.

Farm Woodland

Mr. Keetch: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons there have been delays in payments under the farm woodland premium scheme; when he expects payments to resume; and if he will make a statement. [100695]

Mr. Morley: Claims for payments this year under the farm woodland premium scheme have been, and continue to be, processed. Up to Friday 26 November, in England, 4,038 payments have been made out of 5,061 claims received (nearly 80 per cent.). All outstanding claims are being processed as quickly as possible with the aim of clearing all acceptable claims before the end of the year.

Farm-based Tourism

Mr. Paice: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies he has (a) initiated and (b) received concerning the obstacles to developing farm-based tourism; what action he is taking as a result of these studies; and what funds are available to him to support such action. [100271]

Mr. Morley: No such studies have been initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The Government's Tourism Strategy, "Tomorrow's Tourism", launched earlier this year, recognises tourism's role in maintaining the viability of farm businesses. The European Council Rural Development Regulation (1257/1999), which applies from 2000, enables member states to support projects to encourage tourist and craft activities, among other things. A decision on the implementation of the Regulation will be made shortly.

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