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12 Nov 2003 : Column 302W—continued
Organic Farming
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the level of financial support in the EU for organic farming. [137272]
Mr. Bradshaw: It is not possible to comment on the direct level of financial support available in other member states since the mix of land types and crops on which aid is based varies so greatly. The latest information we have on aid available elsewhere in the European Union however suggests that the recent increase in support payments being made available under the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), which is part of the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) and which encourages the expansion of organic production, is generally comparable to what is available elsewhere in the Community.
Under the OFS, farmers moving from conventional to organic farming methods receive financial help during the conversion process. From 30 May, assistance is now also being made available under the scheme for existing organic farmers who comply with certain environmental measures. The following table shows Defra's spending in the financial year 2002–03 on financial and other support for organic farming:
| Category of support | Total spend 2002–03 |
|---|---|
| Financial support: Under the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) | 12,567,000 |
| Other support: Defra funding for the Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS) | 301,000 |
| Defra funding for research for development purposes which includes a large component dealing with research on organic farming | 1,809,000 |
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) financial and (b) other support was provided to organic farming in the last year for which figures are available. [137273]
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Mr. Bradshaw: The following table shows Defra's spending in the financial year 2002–03 on financial and other support for organic farming:
| Category of support | Total Spend 2002–03 |
|---|---|
| (a) Financial support: Under the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), which is part of the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP). | 12,567,000 |
| (b) Other support: Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS). | 301,000 |
| Defra funding for research for development purposes which includes a large component dealing with research on organic farming. | 1,809,000 |
Pet Ownership
Mr. Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how she communicates messages on responsible pet ownership to pet owners; and if she will encourage pet owners to insure their pets. [137062]
Mr. Bradshaw: Local and national media, including specialist magazines, leaflets, advertisements and the internet are used to communicate messages from welfare organisations and pet owners' groups on the care of pets. A decision on whether to take out pet insurance is for individual owners.
Pig Farming
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the size of the national pig herd is; what estimates she has made of the likely size of the pig herd over the next five years; and if she will make a statement. [137259]
Mr. Bradshaw: The provisional results of the June 2003 survey of agriculture show that the UK pig herd had fallen to 5,039 thousand head. This is a 38 per cent. decline in the size of the UK pig herd since June 1998 (five years ago) when the UK pig herd was 8,146 thousand head. The future size of the pig herd will depend on the profitability of the sector. Profitability will be influenced by several factors, including exchange rates, the expansion of the EU and the ability of the industry to deal with diseases that are currently affecting sow productivity.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the viability of the British pig industry. [137284]
Mr. Bradshaw: Profitability in the pig sector typically fluctuates over time as market prices follow a cyclical path. Productivity and performance also vary considerably within the sector. Average profitability has generally been positive in 2003 largely due to weaker sterling and stronger prices. Raising the average level of performance across the industry will be key to sustaining industry profitability over the longer term. Estimates of 2003 net margins in the pig sector are found in the report 'Economic Position of the farming industry', published on the Defra Website at http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/reports/repfi.pdf.
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Mr. Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the enforcement of welfare standards for pigs. [134188]
Mr. Bradshaw: The primary responsibility for enforcing the new pig welfare regulations—The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003 No. 299)—and checking that the pig welfare codes are being observed—lies with the State Veterinary Service (SVS) and local authorities.
The SVS check welfare on pig farms on both random and targeted bases and also make checks following complaints from the public. The SVS measure welfare on pig farms by assessing levels of compliance with standards set by the legislation and Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock: Pigs. In cases of non-compliance, the action to gain a resolution is taken, ranging from advice to prosecution.
The detailed computerised system which reports the results of welfare inspections by the SVS was upgraded on 1 January 2000. The data on checks on farms are analysed to enable the SVS better to target inspections. A summary of the results of checks conducted on pig farms by the SVS in 2002 was published in the report of the Chief Veterinary Officer "Animal Health 2002" (Defra Publication PB 8258, or at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/publications/pubcat/cvo/2002/index.htm).
Sheep Exports
Mr. Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which port the MV Caroline is using to carry live sheep exports from the UK. [135930]
Mr. Bradshaw: The MV Caroline has used the ports at Dover and Berwick upon Tweed for exports of live sheep from the UK.
Mr. Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many live sheep were exported from Berwick to continental Europe on 26 August; when and where health certification was carried out in respect of the sheep; how many of the sheep were rejected as unfit for the intended journey (a) during inspection for health certification purposes and (b) at the docks, and to where those sheep were taken; and what the address was of the final destination given on the route plan for each of the consignments. [135931]
Mr. Bradshaw: The information requested is as follows:
| 26 August 2003 | |
| Total animals | 1,711 |
| Where consignments were certified | England and Scotland |
| Animals rejected at certification | 75 |
| Animals rejected at Berwick docks | 0 |
| Destination | Netherlands |
The sheep for the consignment above were certified within 24 hours prior to export. There were 75 animals
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rejected during health certification which remained in Great Britain. The consignment was for sheep for further fattening which were transported to holdings in Netherlands.
Mr. Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many live sheep were exported from Dover to continental Europe on 11 September; when and where health certification was carried out in respect of the sheep; how many of the sheep were rejected as unfit for the intended journey, (a) during inspection for health certification purposes and (b) at Dover docks and to where those sheep were taken; and what the address was of the final destination given on the route plan for each of the consignments. [135932]
Mr. Bradshaw: The information requested is as follows:
| 11 September 2003 | |
| Total animals | 2,726 |
| Where consignments were certified | England and Scotland |
| Animals rejected at certification | 18 |
| Animals rejected at Dover docks | 0 |
| Destination | Netherlands and France |
The sheep for the consignment above were certified within 24 hours prior to export. There were 18 animals rejected during health certification which remained in Great Britain. The consignment was for sheep for further fattening which were transported to holdings in France and Netherlands.
Sustainable Development
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with colleagues in other Departments on (a) delivery of sustainable development and (b) promoting sustainable energy sources. [136108]
Mr. Bradshaw: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs chairs the Sustainable Development Task Force, which is focused on the delivery of sustainable development and brings together Ministers and key stakeholders. At the last meeting, on 15 October, papers on progress on renewable energy and energy efficiency; water and sanitation; and sustainable consumption and production were discussed. Task Force papers and minutes can be found on the Government's sustainable development website (www.sustainable-development.gov.uk).
My right hon. Friend and the Secretary of State for the Department of Trade and Industry co-chair a new Ministerial Implementation Group that oversees delivery of the objectives set out in the Energy White Paper, including development of sustainable energy sources. The first two meetings of the Committee were held on 10 July and 9 October.
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