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Rights of Way
32. Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress she has made in implementing the power to close rights of way. [55151]
Alun Michael: I refer to the reply I gave to his previous question on the subject on 12 April 2002, Official Report, column 653W. I have now refined our proposals and issue of a consultation paper is imminent.
Tenant Farmers (Retirement Scheme)
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to introduce a retirement scheme for tenant farmers. [55486]
Margaret Beckett [holding answer 10 May 2002]: I have no plans at present to introduce such a scheme. We consulted on the early retirement provisions of the EU Rural Development Regulation when drawing up plans for implementation of the regulation, but in the light of responses to that consultation we decided that the limited funds available for implementation would be better directed towards other measures to assist the industry. This is because the type of early retirement scheme available under the regulation could not be targeted effectively towards those who should benefit, such as tenant farmers.
The general question of policy on helping farmers to leave the industry will, however, be considered further in the light of the feedback we receive on the issues we have asked stakeholders to consider following publication of the Policy Commission report.
Game Shooting
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the economic value of game shooting; and if she will make a statement. [54342]
Margaret Beckett [holding answer 7 May 2002]: No assessment has been undertaken by my Department of the direct value to the economy of game shooting.
Through the England Rural Development Programme, we provide a means to help farmers wishing to diversify by developing the potential for activities such as game shooting. The benefits of each proposed project are assessed in deciding whether it should receive financial support under the programme.
Committee Mandates
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee on geographical indications and protected designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list
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the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [55243]
Mr. Morley: The Regulatory Committee on geographical indications and protected designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs has met twice over the last 12 months. Its mandate is laid down in Article 15 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2081/92. Its activities include helping the Commission to decide on the registration of protected food names and to draw up Commission regulations relating to the operation of the scheme. The UK is represented on the Committee by two officials from DEFRA. The annual cost to UK public funds of its work over the last 12 months is £1,000. The main issue currently under its consideration concerns the registration of feta cheese as a Protected Designation of Origin.
Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to
- "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".
As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com (2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.
Mr. Morley: The mandate of the Committee on certificates of specific character is laid down in Article 19 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2082/92. Its activities include assisting the Commission to decide on the registration of protected food names and to draw up Commission regulations relating to the operation of the scheme. It has not met over the last l2 months. When it does meet, the UK representation consists of two officials from DEFRA. There have been no costs associated with the work of the Committee over the last 12 months and there are no items currently under its consideration.
Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to
- "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".
As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com (2001) 783 Final).
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- As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.
Mr. Morley: The Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) was set up under Article 43 of the Treaty of Rome in 1957. In order to meet the aims of the Common Agricultural Policy, SCAR advises the Commission on co-ordination and promotion at Community level of agricultural research activities undertaken in the member states. SCAR met twice (19 June 2002, 11 March 2002) over the last 12 months for half-day meetings on both occasions. UK representation is normally the Head of Research Policy and International Division in DEFRA with supporting staff, and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). This cost of this work to the public purse of DEFRA is about £8,500 per annum, including staff time and travelling expenses. SCAR has been examining in particular the development and implementation of the proposed new Framework Programme 6 for collaborative EU research, technology and development in those areas within its competence and interest. The papers of SCAR meetings are available on www.europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture. An annual report on the working of committees such as SCAR was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com (2001) 783 Final). The UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions to be accessible through its website.
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Management Committee of the common organisation of agricultural markets for natural fibres is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [55250]
Mr. Morley: The Management Committee for Natural Fibres assists the European Commission in the operation of the common organisation of the markets in flax, hemp, cotton and silkworms. The UK is represented by officials from this Department. It has met seven times over the last 12 months at a cost of £6,300 to public funds, excluding the salary costs of the officials. The Committee's current priorities are the implementation of control arrangement for imports of hemp and hemp seed from third countries and the effects of the recent reforms of the regimes for cotton and for flax and hemp. Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review
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to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to
- "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee for the adaptation to technical progress and application of the Community award scheme for an eco-label is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [56728]
Mr. Meacher: Regulation (EC) 1980/2000 on a revised Community ecolabel award scheme is intended to promote products which have the potential to reduce negative environmental impacts, as compared with the other products in the same product group, thus contributing to the efficient use of resources and a high level of environmental protection. This objective is pursued by a scheme to provide information to consumers in the form of an environmental award label, which can be displayed on products that meet criteria established under the Regulation. A committee composed of representatives of member states and chaired by the Commission has been established to assist the Commission in the operation of the ecolabelling scheme, in particular by reaching decisions on the product criteria to be applied and the administrative arrangements needed to run the scheme.
The Committee has met four times in the last 12 months. The UK is formally represented on the Committee by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The cost of attending this Committee over the last 12 months was approximately £3,000.
The main issues currently being considered by this Committee are decisions on ecological criteria for award of the ecolabel to paints and varnishes, copying and printing paper, bed mattresses and light-bulbs.
Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to
- "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".
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an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.
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