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Common Fisheries Policy

Mrs. Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment her Department has made of the obstacles to the UK (a) withdrawing from the Common Fisheries Policy and (b) creating an alternative structure for UK fisheries management; [163847]

(2) what assessment her Department has made of the legal steps that would be required for the UK to withdraw from the Common Fisheries Policy. [163848]

Mr. Bradshaw: Withdrawal from the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) would only be achievable by a complex renegotiation of European Union treaties with other member states.

The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit concludes that sustainable fisheries management is most likely to be achieved inside a reformed and regionalised CFP—and the way we carry forward their recommendations will be an integral part of the CFP reforms we agreed in December 2002.

One of these reforms was provision for the establishment of trans-national Regional Advisory Councils (RACs). These will bring together fishermen, scientists and all with an interest in the fish stocks and their exploitation to help develop ways forward to which all parties can subscribe. The industry and other organisations in the UK are at the forefront of action to establish RACs, and a Council Decision is likely to be adopted next month which will allow interested parties to take forward their proposals quickly. We believe RACs to be a groundbreaking change for the CFP—they will help develop more effective consultation and a strong regional focus.

Computer Misuse

Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases

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of computer misuse there were in her Department in 2003, broken down by category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action. [163253]

Alun Michael: The Department does not maintain a central list of all cases of computer misuse because these are generally handled through the line management chain or local Personnel Units.

The IT Directorate provides information in cases of suspected computer misuse. There were no cases of formal disciplinary action within the Department during 2003.

The Department seeks to ensure that all users of computer systems are fully aware of their responsibilities and legal obligations. This is done by a variety of methods such as through system training programmes, published user guides and usage policies together with general security policy guidance and advice. This material is subject to regular review and is easily accessible through the Departmental Intranet. Regular Office Notices also provide reminders of key points.

EU Sugar Regime

Claire Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the UK Government's position on reform of the EU sugar regime. [162903]

Alun Michael: The Government have already made clear that they share the European Commission's view that extension of the present regime beyond 2006 is not sustainable. We have also said that we are looking for a market based approach in line with major CAP reforms achieved in June 2003 across most other sectors.

However, sugar reform raises a complex set of issues, including implications for developing countries, and we are still considering the best way ahead, taking account of the views received in our consultation exercise which closed on 16 January and which we are still assessing.

Fallen Stock

Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what provisions she has made for the disposal of fallen sheep during the current lambing season, in the absence of the Fallen Stock Subscription Scheme; [158741]

(2) what advice she gives to farmers who are banned from burying fallen stock on their land by the Animal By-Products Regulation 1774/2002/EC and who have no other means of disposal. [158746]

Mr. Bradshaw: The Government are not obliged to provide a National scheme under the Animal By-Products Regulations, nor is one an essential pre-requisite to farmers being able to dispose of their livestock in a legitimate manner.

Farmers are expected to make use of existing local outlets for the disposal of fallen stock i.e. knacker yards, hunt kennels and maggot farms, use on-farm incinerators or make arrangements directly with rendering or incineration plants. However, we have

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asked local authorities to look sympathetically at individual cases where farmers have made every effort to comply but have faced genuine difficulties in doing so.

Farm Incomes

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects real total income from farming to return to the level of 1995; and if she will make a statement. [162876]

Alun Michael: Total income from farming in the UK is estimated to be £3.2 billion in 2003, having increased for the third year in a row. In real terms this is 28 per cent. above the 2002 level and 77 per cent. above the low point in 2000. It remains 50 per cent. below the peak in 1995.

Total income from farming in 1995 was exceptionally high due primarily to the combined effects of currency movements the UK's exit from the Exchange Rate Mechanism and favourable world commodity prices.

Government policy is to facilitate the right economic framework to enable farmers to succeed, compete successfully internationally and have a profitable future.

The Government's Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food, was published on 12 December 2002. The strategy provides a clear and strategic long-term direction towards a more sustainable future. The Government will work in partnership with industry and other stakeholders to implement the strategy, providing the leadership to allow farmers to flourish by their own efforts and to become better connected to markets and consumer requirements.

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she proposes to take to maintain the growth in net farm income for (a) dairy, (b) cereals, (c) cattle and sheep (less favoured areas) and (d) cattle and sheep (lowland); and when she expects each to reach, in real terms, the levels of 1995–96. [162878]

Alun Michael: In the year ending February 2004, net farm income in England is expected to have increased on dairy farms, cereal farms and cattle and sheep farms (less favoured areas) in comparison to the previous year. Incomes on lowland cattle and sheep farms are expected to have been broadly unchanged. The increases in incomes are mainly a reflection of higher market prices and support payments in that year which, in turn, are mainly a result of market forces and movements in currency exchange rates.

The level of net farm income in 1995–6 was exceptionally high due primarily to the combined effects of currency movements following the UK's exit from the exchange rate mechanism and favourable world commodity prices.

Government policy is to facilitate the right economic framework to enable farmers to succeed, compete successfully internationally and have a profitable future.

The Government's Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food, was published on 12 December 2002. The strategy provides a clear and strategic long-term direction towards a more sustainable future. The Government will work in partnership with industry and

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other stakeholders to implement the strategy, providing the leadership to allow farmers to flourish by their own efforts and to become better connected to markets and consumer requirements.

Farm Payments

Mr. Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment she has made of whether a significant proportion of the single farm payment will become capitalised in agricultural land values; and if she will make a statement; [160166]

(2) what assessment she has made of the likely impact of the single farm payment on rent levels for agricultural land; and if she will make a statement. [160167]

Alun Michael: Defra will publish shortly an analysis of the economic impact on the English farming industry of the decoupling of CAP direct payment and the decision to allocate entitlement on the basis set out in my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's Statement to the House on 12 February.

Feline TB

Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice she has issued to private veterinary surgeons on the (a) detection and (b) reporting of domestic cats infected with M. bovis. [159122]

Mr. Bradshaw: There is no advice issued by Defra to private veterinary surgeons on the detection and reporting of domestic cats infected with M. bovis. TB in cats is not notifiable to the Divisional Veterinary Manager, although it is good practice to do so.

As set out in the consultation document launched by my Department last 9 February, we are proposing an amendment to the Tuberculosis (England and Wales) Order 1984, which will make the isolation of M. bovis notifiable in any mammal other than humans.

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