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AAPS

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will draw down the EU share, and pay the UK share, of the (a) first and (b) second tranche of aid on AAPS 2000 payments before 31 October. [9709]

Mr. Morley [holding answer 23 October 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Pound) on 31 October 2001, Official Report, column 738W.

Livestock Disease Prevention

Mrs. Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the future viability of livestock markets in England and Wales; and what steps she has taken to provide financial assistance for the additional costs involved in implementing extra disease prevention measures. [11421]

Mr. Morley: The Department's immediate priority is to eradicate foot and mouth disease. We have not made a formal assessment of the longer term viability of livestock markets. However, there will be a need to consider the extent to which the movement of animals through markets contributed to the spread of the disease.

There are no plans to provide financial assistance to livestock markets for the costs incurred in relation to biosecurity arrangements. Livestock markets are legally required to carry out cleansing and disinfection at the conclusion of each market and must therefore bear these costs themselves.

Animal Welfare

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will commission a study on the efficacy of marketing animals (a) over the internet and (b) via video link in reducing (i) the cost, (ii) animal suffering and (iii) infection risks of livestock markets. [12283]

Mr. Morley [holding answer 2 November 2001]: It is for farmers to decide how best to market their animals, taking account of costs and animal health and welfare requirements. We are aware of various initiatives by auctioneers to hold video and internet sales and that these have met with a degree of success. Such initiatives are to be welcomed as they provide another option for farmers to market their animals and we will watch developments with interest.

Mrs. Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what response her Department has made to the European Commission's proposal to reclassify medicines for food-producing animals as prescription-only medicines; and what

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assessment she has made of the consequence for (a) animal health and (b) the agricultural and equine veterinary medicine supply industry. [14063]

Mr. Morley: This proposal forms part of a much wider set of proposals produced by the European Commission to amend the procedures for the authorisation and control of both human and veterinary medicines in the EU. In its present form this particular proposal could result in UK farmers having to pay more by incurring veterinary surgeons' fees when obtaining those medicines that are currently available without veterinary intervention. This may deter farmers from seeking appropriate treatment. Furthermore, the proposal could restrict the number and types of veterinary medicines that may be supplied by registered agricultural merchants and saddlers, to a limited range of products for dogs and cats. This could have significant adverse effects on those businesses.

In considering the proposal the Government have taken account of its likely impact on the supply of veterinary medicines and has agreed that, during negotiations, UK officials should seek to modify the proposal to enable a flexible approach to the distribution of veterinary medicinal products that takes advantage of existing national practices, so long as consumer protection and animal welfare can be demonstrably assured.

Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessments she has made of the proposals by the European Commission that medicines for food-producing animals will become prescription only medicines; and if she will make a statement on the consequences of this proposal for rural agricultural businesses. [13860]

Mr. Morley: This proposal forms part of a much wider set of proposals produced by the European Commission to amend the procedures for the authorisation and control of both human and veterinary medicines in the EU. In its present form this particular proposal could result in UK farmers having to pay more by incurring veterinary surgeons' fees when obtaining those medicines that are currently available without veterinary intervention. Furthermore, it could restrict the number and types of veterinary medicines that may be supplied by registered agricultural merchants and saddlers, to a limited range of products for dogs and cats. This could have significant adverse effects on those businesses.

In considering the proposal the Government have taken account of its likely impact on the supply of veterinary medicines and has agreed that, during negotiations, UK officials should seek to modify the proposal to enable a flexible approach to the distribution of veterinary medicinal products that takes advantage of existing national practices, so long as consumer protection and animal welfare can be demonstrably assured.

Compensation (Tuna Fishermen)

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received regarding compensation for UK fishermen who (a) have had and (b) will have their tuna drift net licences withdrawn. [11590]

Mr. Morley: I have received one such representation this year.

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Recycling (Refrigerators)

Mr. Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the cost to local authorities involved in storing refrigerators and deep-freezers awaiting recycling (a) by each local authority area and (b) in total. [12032]

Mr. Meacher: The costs of storage will be affected by a range of factors, in particular the environmental protection standards that are set for storage facilities. This Department has been working with stakeholders to assess the appropriate standards for storage of waste refrigeration equipment and will finalise this guidance shortly. We will monitor the costs of such storage over the next few months.

Farm Business Advisory Services

Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the waiting time is for access to the three-day farm business advisory services for farmers in (a) England and (b) the west midlands. [13198]

Alun Michael: Waiting lists vary across regions and it is not possible to provide a future for England. The waiting list in the west midlands region is currently open ended. To ease waiting lists we have switched £1.5 million of funding from the five-day "enhanced" service to the three-day service allowing demand for both services to be met. This will reduce waiting times considerably. The west midlands region anticipate that their three-day waiting list will be cleared within five weeks.

Farming (Diversification)

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding is available to farmers to diversify into tourism outside objective 1 areas. [13019]

Alun Michael: Outside objective 1 areas, the main source of Government funding for farmers wishing to diversify into rural tourism is the Rural Enterprise Scheme. Rural tourism is a high national priority within the suite of measures supported by RES. The proportion of the £152 million RES budget allocated to rural tourism, like all other measures under the scheme, is determined at the regional level in the light of consultation with local stakeholders. DEFRA also offers assistance in the form of free planning consultancy advice to farmers who intend to pursue an eligible RES diversification project, which may include diversification into rural tourism. The RES is not available in objective 1 areas but equivalent funds are available through the objective 1 Programme for each area. Other funding for farm-based tourism projects which utilise existing farm buildings is available from Regional Development agencies in the form of redundant building grant.

Flooding

Mr. Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the steps taken by the public bodies involved to reduce the risk of flooding in the south of Worcestershire since the Easter 1998 floods; and if she will make a statement. [13220]

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Mr. Morley: A number of measures have been taken to reduce the risk of flooding in this area since 1998.

Liaison between the Environment Agency, local authorities and emergency services has been considerably strengthened, including a flood emergency exercise conducted in the Upper Severn area.

The south Worcestershire area has also benefited from enhancements to the Environment Agency's Flood Warning service and the national flood awareness campaigns conducted annually. Every property on the 'at-risk' database has been sent flooding information and everyone within telephone Flood Warning service areas has been invited to receive warnings.

The Environment Agency have been investigating flood defence options at five locations which suffered flooding Easter 1998 floods and, where sustainable, works to alleviate flooding have been carried out, or are planned. A new rain gauge has also been installed at Hindlip.

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures the Government have taken to reduce the risk of flooding to one in 100 in high risk areas. [13006]

Mr. Morley: I am reducing the risk of flooding by investing in effective flood warning arrangements and flood defences in the highest risk areas. Funding for the Department's programme is increasing from £66 million 2000–01 to £114 million in 2003–04.

This Department provides funding to the Environment Agency, local authorities and Internal Drainage Boards for capital flood and coastal works that meet certain criteria. Responsibility for deciding which projects to promote and their timing rests with the operating authorities. The operating authority draws on its local knowledge of the area when deciding what needs to be done, including the design standard of protection within the economic justification of the project.

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will provide funding for a flood defence scheme in Milby and Langthorpe. [13384]

Mr. Morley: I understand that the Environment Agency's initial assessment for a flood alleviation scheme in Milby and Langthorpe suggests that it cannot be justified economically. However, if the agency decides to promote a scheme, they can submit an application for grant aid to this Department. Such an application would be considered against our normal criteria for funding flood defences.

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what preventive measures she has taken to ensure that the Ouse does not flood as a result of rivers to the north flowing into it. [13415]

Mr. Morley: Operational responsibility for flood alleviation measures rests with local operating authorities, namely the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Boards and local councils.

I understand that the Environment Agency's preliminary strategic review for the River Ouse catchment is due for completion early in 2002. The findings of this strategy will inform the agency's plans for a prioritised

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programme of feasibility and capital works in the catchment, including any for rivers flowing into the River Ouse from the north.

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will provide funding towards construction of a land drainage pumping station in Rawcliffe; [13386]

(2) what measures she has taken to ensure that Blue Beck in Rawcliffe does not flood and that run-off water will be diverted away from local homeowners. [13416]

Mr. Morley: Operational responsibility for flood alleviation measures rests with local operating authorities, namely the Environment Agency, internal drainage boards and local councils.

The Kyle and Ouse Internal Drainage Board is responsible for the Blue Beck and has commissioned consultants to examine how flood risk can be reduced, including an assessment of the justification of pumping facilities. If the board decides to promote works, they can submit an application for grant aid to this Department. Such an application would be considered against our normal criteria for funding flood defences.

Mr. Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on flood (a) warning and (b) prevention arrangements. [12885]

Mr. Morley: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 1095W.

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