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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on North Durham constituency of her Department's policies since June 2001.

Asked by

Lord Beamish (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

2 February 2005

For answer on

7 April 2005

Answered on

7 April 2005

Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on North Durham constituency of her Department's policies since June 2001. [214470] Alun Michael: Defra publishes a wide range of statistical information relating to its policies and actions and the following web address will take you directly to the service: http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/default. asp. In addition, the Office of National Statistics also publishes further information that you can access from its website: http://www.statistics.gov.uk Since its establishment in 2001 Defra has put in place a comprehensive programme of action on issues including sustainable development, climate change and energy, sustainable consumption and production, natural resource protection, sustainable rural communities, and a sustainable farming and food sector. I am confident that the North Durham constituency will have benefited from these but it is not possible to systematically quantify those benefits to a constituency level. The difficulties of such geographical analyses are set out by the Office of National Statistics at the following address: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/ geography/default.asp. The following information may help provide a "word picture" of the way Defra's work benefits North Durham. Through our national strategy for waste we are committed to delivering a step change to more sustainable waste management, including tough national targets to recycle or compost 17 per cent. of household waste by 2003-04, and 25 per cent. by 2005-06. The districts of Chester le Street and Derwentside continue to make a contribution to achieving these national recycling targets and have exceeded regional targets set at 10 per cent. for 2003-04. The districts' recycling performance in 2003-04, the most recent year for which data is available, were 12 per cent. and 14 per cent. respectively, an improvement for each council of 5 per cent. The policy initiatives flowing from the Rural White Paper had a major impact on people in rural and urban fringe locations. North Durham constituents will have benefited from a living, working and vibrant countryside surrounding the towns of Stanley and Chester le Street. The Rural Strategy published in July 2004, builds on the success of the White Paper and aims to give the people of North Durham a greater say in the delivery of services. The Modernising Rural Delivery pathfinder initiative is a key part of the Government's Rural Strategy and is designed to test and share, at a local authority level, good practice on the Government's commitment to devolve decision-making and resources to the local level. In October, I announced seven rural pathfinders in England, and I announced the final pathfinder in the West Durham area more recently. The North East pathfinder will ensure greater co-ordination of rural delivery programmes testing new and innovative methods to bring about improvements in the delivery of services to rural communities and businesses. Whilst not directly located in the pathfinder area, I expect that the lessons learned will be shared across the constituency, the North East Region and nationally. West County Durham is an area steeped in a rich social, industrial and natural heritage. I am pleased that the Department is involved in the "Mineral Valleys Project", which covers an area of 89,000 hectares, aims to use environment-led regeneration to help local communities celebrate their heritage whilst enhancing the environment around them. The Mineral Valleys Partnership that includes 50 businesses, statutory, community and voluntary organisations, led by English Nature and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, has been successful in putting a £5.2 million programme together to make this vision a reality. This exciting project has resulted in a number of positive environmental outcomes for the constituency including the Saving Stanley Burn and Woods Project, an Otter Holt at Chester le Street and the creation of wetland at Chester Moor. In terms of specific payments we have been able to isolate expenditure under the common agricultural policy and a list of payments by constituency is available in the Library of the House following the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Knowsley North and Sefton East (Mr. Howarth) on 4 April 2005, Official Report, columns 1149-50W. It is noted in these figures that payments to customers are reported on the basis of requested business address which may differ from the location of farming activity. Common Agricultural Policy Payments to farm-based schemes in the North Durham constituency for the 2004 European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) accounting year which ran from 16 October 2003 to 15 October 2004 amount to £1,031,592.59. The schemes included are the Arable Area Payment, Beef Special Premium, Suckler Cow Premium, Extensification Premium, Slaughter Premium, Sheep Annual Premium, Over Thirty Months Slaughter, England Rural Development Programme and Structural Funds (which are monies made available by EAGGF to contribute to the economic development of disadvantaged regions within Europe).

Subjects

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government department; Policy; County Durham

Date

7 April 2005

Reference

432 c1669-71W;432 c1665-6W; 214470

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many regulations have been repealed by her Department since 1st October 2004.

Asked by

John Redwood (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

28 March 2005

For answer on

7 April 2005

Answered on

7 April 2005

Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many regulations have been repealed by her Department since 1 October 2004. [224618] Alun Michael: We have the information from 1 April 2004 and the Department has repealed the following 42 pieces of domestic legislation: The Diseases of Animals (Fees for the Testing of Disinfectants) Order 1991 (SI 1991/1168) Integrated Administration and Control System Regulations 1993 (SI 1993/1317) Integrated Administration and Control System (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/1134) Integrated Administration and Control System (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/1148) Potatoes Originating in the Netherlands Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/2441) Potatoes Originating in the Netherlands (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/3168) The Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (Amendment) Order 1999 (SI 1999/919) The Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/457) Plant Health (Phytophthora ramorum) (England) (No. 2) Order 2002 (SI 2002/2573) Integrated Administration and Control System (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000/2573) The Common Agricultural Policy Support Schemes (Modulation) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000/3127) The Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (Amendment) (England) Order 2000 (SI 2000/3195) Regulation 7(16) of the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce (Abolition) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000/3686) The Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (Amendment) (England) Order 2001 (SI 2001/608) The Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/457) Plant Health (Forestry) (Phytophthora ramorum) (Great Britain) (No. 2) Order 2002 (SI 2002/2589) Organic Farming (England Rural Development Programme) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/1235) The Animal Gatherings (England) Order 2003 (SI 2003/1723) The Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (Amendment) (England) Order 2003 (SI 2003/1428) Integrated Administration and Control System (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/189) The Dairy Produce Quotas (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/312) The Sea Fishing (Restriction on Days at Sea) Order 2004 (SI 2004/398) The Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/853) The Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (No. 2) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/1740) The Common Agricultural Policy Support Schemes (Modulation) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/2330) The Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (No. 3) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/2640) In so far as they apply to England The Arable Area Payments Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/3142) The Arable Area Payments (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/2969) The Arable Area Payments (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/3169) The Arable Area Payments (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/8) The Sheep Annual Premium and Suckler Cow Quotas Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/2261) In so far as the Secretary of State is the relevant competent authority in relation to the holding for the purposes of the IACS regulations: The Sheep Annual Premium Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/2677) The Sheep Annual Premium (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/2741) The Sheep Annual Premium (Amendment) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/2779) The Sheep Annual Premium (Amendment) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/49) The Sheep Annual Premium (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/2500) The Slaughter Premium Regulations 2000 (SI 2000/3126) The Sheep Annual Premium (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/281) Extensification Payment Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/864) Suckler Cow Premium Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/1370) Beef Special Premium Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/2503) The Slaughter Premium (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3906)

Subjects

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government departments; Statutory instruments

Date

7 April 2005

Reference

432 c1658-9W;432 c1654-5W; 224618

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Huddersfield constituency, the effects on Huddersfield of her Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

Asked by

Barry Sheerman (Labour; Cooperative Party)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

9 February 2005

For answer on

7 April 2005

Answered on

7 April 2005

Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Huddersfield constituency, the effects on Huddersfield of her Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [216869] Alun Michael: Defra publishes a wide range of statistical information relating to its policies and actions and the following web address will take you directly to the service: http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/default. asp. In addition, the Office of National Statistics also publishes further information that you can access from its website: http://www.statistics.gov.uk. Since its establishment in 2001 Defra has put in place a comprehensive programme of action on issues including sustainable development, climate change and .energy, sustainable consumption and production, natural resource protection, sustainable rural communities, and a sustainable farming and food sector. I am confident that the Huddersfield constituency will have benefited from these but it is not possible to systematically quantify those benefits to a constituency level. The difficulties of such geographical analyses are set out by the Office of National Statistics at the following address: http://www. statistics.gov.uk/geography/default.asp. The following information may help provide a "word picture" of the way Defra's work benefits Huddersfield. Waste: Through our national strategy for waste we are committed to delivering a step change to more sustainable waste management, including tough national targets to recycle or compost 17 per cent. of household waste by 2003-04, and 25 per cent. by 2005-06. To help local authorities achieve their own targets Defra's Waste Minimisation Fund was set up in 2002. As a result of successful bids for money from this fund by Kirklees metropolitan council a total of almost £1.2 million was used for projects which have seen extra green wheeled bins being provided to 140,000 households across Kirklees, including Huddersfield itself. This, together with a waste reduction and reuse awareness raising campaign, also funded by Defra, has enabled Kirklees to double its recycling and composting rate from 7 per cent. in 1998-99 to reach its statutory target of 14 per cent. in 2003-04. River Water Quality has improved along the Kirklees rivers, including the Rivers Colne and Holme in Huddersfield over recent years. While 75 per cent. of the rivers' lengths within the Kirklees area were already considered to be of fair or better chemical quality in 1997, by 2003 this had risen to 95 per cent. The improvements in the biological quality of the rivers has been even more rapid with the percentage of river length of fair quality or better rising from 4.0 per cent. in 1995 to 75 per cent. in 2003. These improvements reflect Defra's policy to improve river water quality, which is one of the headline indicators of sustainable development and to raise compliance with the EC water framework directive. Flood Defences: With grant support from Defra the Environment Agency has undertaken maintenance and improvement of flood defences around the Huddersfield area and has invested £30 million in new defences in the past 10-15 years across Kirklees as a whole. The Environment Agency also now offers a flood warning service for residents and businesses at high and medium risk of flooding through Huddersfield. Rural Environment: The most important agri- environment scheme delivered by Defra's Rural Development Service in the Huddersfield area constituency is the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS). It aims are to help to conserve and improve the rural environment. There are three CSS agreements in the constituency; the total area of land on these three holdings is 123.42ha, of which 22.12ha is under agreement. In terms of specific payments we have been able to isolate expenditure under the common agricultural policy and a list of payments by constituency is available in the Library of the House following the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Knowsley North and Sefton East (Mr. Howarth) on 4 April 2005, Official Report, columns 1149-50W. It is noted in these figures that payments to customers are reported on the basis of requested business address which may differ from the location of farming activity. Common Agricultural Policy Payments to farm-based schemes in the Huddersfield constituency for the 2004 European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) accounting year which ran from 16 October 2003 to 15 October 2004 amount to £146,410.85. The schemes included are the Arable Area Payment, Beef Special Premium, Suckler Cow Premium, Extensification Premium, Slaughter Premium, Sheep Annual Premium, Over Thirty Months Slaughter, England Rural Development Programme and Structural Funds (which are monies made available by EAGGF to contribute to the economic development of disadvantaged regions within Europe).

Subjects

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government department; Policy; Huddersfield

Date

7 April 2005

Reference

432 c1665-6W;432 c1660-2W; 216869

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Burnley constituency, the effects on Burnley of her Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

Asked by

Peter L Pike (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

2 February 2005

For answer on

7 April 2005

Answered on

7 April 2005

Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Burnley constituency, the effects on Burnley of her Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [214693] Alun Michael: Defra publishes a wide range of statistical information relating to its policies and actions and the following web address will take you directly to the service: http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/default.asp. In addition the Office of National Statistics also publishes further information that you can access from its website: http:// www.statistics.gov.uk Since its establishment in 2001 Defra has put in place a comprehensive programme of action on issues including sustainable development, climate change and energy, sustainable consumption and production, natural resource protection, sustainable rural communities, and a sustainable farming and food sector. I am confident that the Burnley constituency will have benefited from these but it is not possible to systematically quantify those benefits to a constituency level. The difficulties of such geographical analyses are set out by the Office of National Statistics at the following address: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/ geography/default.asp. The following information may help provide a "word picture" of the way Defra's work benefits Burnley. Through our national strategy for waste we are committed to delivering a step change to more sustainable waste management, including tough national targets to recycle or compost 17 per cent. of household waste by 2003-04 and 25 per cent. by 2005-06. Since 2001, Defra has established a number of funding mechanisms to help local authorities achieve their targets. As a result of allocations from these funds the residents of Burnley should reap the benefits over the next few years. Since 2001 a total of £1,131,245 has been awarded to the borough to expand kerbside recycling schemes. In March 2005 1 announced that Lancashire has been selected as the rural pathfinder in the North West--one of eight rural pathfinders in different regions of England. The pathfinder initiative is a key part of Rural Strategy and reflects the Government's commitment to devolve decision-making and resources to the local level. The Lancashire rural pathfinder will ensure greater co-ordination of rural delivery programmes testing new and innovative methods to bring about improvements in the delivery of services to rural communities and businesses. In terms of specific payments we have been able to isolate expenditure under the common agricultural policy and a list of payments by constituency is available in the Library of the House following the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Knowsley North and Sefton East (Mr. Howarth) on 4 April 2005, Official Report, columns 1149-50W. It is noted in these figures that payments to customers are reported on the basis of requested business address which may differ from the location of farming activity. Common Agricultural Policy Payments to farm-based schemes in the Burnley constituency for the 2004 European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) accounting year which ran from 16 October 2003 to 15 October 2004 amount to £780,824.36. The schemes included are the Arable Area Payment, Beef Special Premium, Suckler Cow Premium, Extensification Premium, Slaughter Premium, Sheep Annual Premium, Over Thirty Months Slaughter, England Rural Development Programme and Structural Funds (which are monies made available by EAGGF to contribute to the economic development of disadvantaged regions within Europe).

Subjects

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Policy; Burnley

Date

7 April 2005

Reference

432 c1643-5W;432 c1639-40W; 214693

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Witney constituency, the effects on Witney of her Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

Asked by

Lord Smith of Finsbury (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

7 February 2005

For answer on

7 April 2005

Answered on

7 April 2005

Mr. Chris Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Witney constituency, the effects on Witney of her Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [215977] Alun Michael: Defra publishes a wide range of statistical information relating to its policies and actions and the following web address will take my right hon. Friend directly to the service: http://statistics.defra. gov.uk/esg/default.asp. In addition the Office for National Statistics also publishes further information that you can access from its website: http:// www.statistics.gov.uk. Since its establishment in 2001 Defra has put in place a comprehensive programme of action on issues including sustainable development, climate change and energy, sustainable consumption and production, natural resource protection, sustainable rural communities, and a sustainable farming and food sector. I am confident that the Witney constituency will have benefited from these but it is not possible to systematically quantify those benefits to a constituency level. The difficulties of such geographical analyses are set out by the Office for National Statistics at the following address: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/ geography/default.asp. In terms of specific payments we have been able to isolate expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy and a list of payments by constituency is available in the Library of the House following the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth) on 4 April 2005, Official Report, columns 1149-50W. It is noted in these figures that payments to customers are reported on the basis of requested business address which may differ from the location of farming activity. Common Agricultural Policy Payments to farm based schemes in the Witney constituency for the 2004 European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) accounting year which ran from 16 October 2003 to 15 October 2004 amount to £13,661,576.34. The schemes included are the Arable Area Payment, Beef Special Premium, Suckler Cow Premium, Extensification Premium, Slaughter Premium, Sheep Annual Premium, Over Thirty Months Slaughter, England Rural Development Programme and Structural Funds (which are monies made available by EAGGF to contribute to the economic development of disadvantaged regions within Europe). Other benefits The following information may also help provide a "word picture" of the way Defra's work benefits Witney through a selection of activities which have taken place in Oxfordshire. Applications for the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) have been received from within the County of Oxfordshire. As at 2004 Oxfordshire had 594 agri-environment schemes which is the highest number of any other county in the region. Grant paid under the Farm Woodland Premium Scheme and Farm Woodland Scheme since 2000 is £1.2 million and £112,000 has been under the Habitat Scheme since 2001. £565,000 has been paid under the Project Based Schemes since 2001. Clinics for the promotion of good quality applications under the ERDP are held regularly by the Defra Rural Development Service in Reading and Guildford. West Oxfordshire is one of five areas in the South East region that has funding under the LEADER + programme, with European Union support, for experimental development of rural projects and community initiatives. Over 20 projects have, or are being funded, through the programme in Oxfordshire with further projects due to start this year. Projects aim to improve quality of life and particularly target younger and older people, women, rural business and workers affected by rural restructuring. The Countryside Agency is supporting a number of projects in the area. The Vital Villages Programme began in 2001 and provides financial support for rural transport projects, projects to enhance and establish key rural services and to assist parishes with producing a parish plan. Funding for this programme in West Oxfordshire exceeds £1 million. Defra has worked to implement the vision of the Rural White Paper to support vibrant rural communities through the proactive work of Oxfordshire rural community council which delivers support and services on the ground to rural communities. In the three years from 2001-04 over £800,000 has been invested in supporting rural transport, rural retail services, the provision of affordable homes in rural communities, community development work and work with socially excluded groups in rural areas across Oxfordshire. The money channelled by Defra through the RCC for this work, has also been instrumental at a local level, in levering other sources of finance to support rural communities. Defra is funding a pilot study which aims to increase the local food content (fresh, seasonal ingredients) of school meals. Several schools are involved across the pilot area covering Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. The findings are due this April. The South East Rural Affairs Forum was set up following recommendations in the Rural White Paper. The forum held a conference involving stakeholders across the region on 7 September 2004 and was attended by several stakeholders from Oxfordshire.

Subjects

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government department; Policy; Witney

Date

7 April 2005

Reference

432 c1656-8W;432 c1651-3W; 215977

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to South East Cambridgeshire constituency, the effects on South East Cambridgeshire of her Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

Asked by

Brian Sedgemore (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

8 February 2005

For answer on

7 April 2005

Answered on

7 April 2005

Mr. Sedgemore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to South-East Cambridgeshire constituency, the effects on South-East Cambridgeshire of her Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [216020] Alun Michael: Defra publishes a wide range of statistical information relating to its policies and actions and the following web address will take you directly to the service: http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/default. asp. In addition the Office of National Statistics also publishes further information that you can access from its website: http://www.statistics.gov.uk Since its establishment in 2001 Defra has put in place a comprehensive programme of action on issues including sustainable development, climate change and energy, sustainable consumption and production, natural resource protection, sustainable rural communities, and a sustainable farming and food sector. I am confident that the South East Cambridgeshire constituency will have benefited from these but it is not possible to systematically quantify those benefits to a constituency level. The difficulties of such geographical analyses are set out by the Office of National Statistics at the following address: http:// www.statistics.gov.uk/geography/default.asp The following information may help provide a "word picture" of the way Defra's work benefits South East Cambridgeshire. Through our national strategy for waste we are committed to delivering a step change to more sustainable waste management, including tough national targets to recycle or compost 17 per cent. of household waste by 2003-04, and 25 per cent. by 2005-06. The county of Cambridgeshire continues to make a substantial contribution to achieving national recycling targets. The county's recycling performance in 2003-04, the most recent year for which data are available, was 29 per cent., against the national average for that year of 16.9 per cent. The Government are committed to increasing the amount of electricity supplied by renewable sources in the UK to 10 per cent. by 2010. Between 1990 and 1998, the percentage of electricity generated from renewable sources in Cambridgeshire increased from zero, or very little, to around 0.9 per cent. In the last four years, this figure has increased to around 6 per cent. This dramatic increase is mainly attributable to the opening of a straw burning power station in Sutton near Ely in late 2001. An area of the East of England, which covers a large part of the South East Cambridgeshire constituency, is one of the eight rural delivery pathfinders announced by the Minister of State, Alun Michael, at Ely on 14 March. The pathfinder initiative is a key part of the Government's Rural Strategy and reflects the Government's commitment to devolve decision-making and resources to the local level. The Fens rural pathfinder will ensure greater co-ordination of rural delivery programmes by testing new and innovative methods to bring about improvements in the delivery of services to rural communities and businesses. Partners in pathfinder areas are currently worked on their detailed proposals of actions they will undertake, but a summary can be obtained via the following web address: www. idea-knowledge, gov.uk/idk/core/page. do?pageld =335795 In terms of specific payments we have been able to isolate expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy and a list of payments by constituency is available in the Library of the House following the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Knowsley North and Sefton East, (Mr. Howarth) on 4 April 2005, Official Report, columns 1149-50W. It is noted in these figures that payments to customers are reported on the basis of requested business address which may differ from the location of farming activity. Common Agricultural Policy Payments to farm based schemes in the South East Cambridgeshire constituency for the 2004 European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) accounting year which ran from 16 October 2003 to 15 October 2004 amount to £12, 865, 707.74. The schemes included are the Arable Area Payment, Beef Special Premium, Suckler Cow Premium, Extensification Premium, Slaughter Premium, Sheep Annual Premium, Over Thirty Months Slaughter, England Rural Development Programme and Structural Funds (which are monies made available by EAGGF to contribute to the economic development of disadvantaged regions within Europe).

Subjects

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government department; Policy; Cambridgeshire

Date

7 April 2005

Reference

432 c1655-6W;432 c1650-1W; 216020

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to West Dorset constituency, the effects on West Dorset of her Department's policies and actions since 2nd May 1997.

Asked by

Lord Smith of Finsbury (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

7 February 2005

For answer on

7 April 2005

Answered on

7 April 2005

Mr. Chris Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to West Dorset constituency, the effects on West Dorset of her Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [215978] Alun Michael: Defra publishes a wide range of statistical information relating to its policies and actions and the following web address will take you directly to the service: http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/default. asp. In addition the Office of National Statistics also publishes further information that you can access from its website: http://www.statistics.gov.uk Since its establishment in 2001 Defra has put in place a comprehensive programme of action on issues including sustainable development, climate change and energy, sustainable consumption and production, natural resource protection, sustainable rural communities, and a sustainable farming and food sector. I am confident that the West Dorset constituency will have benefited from these but it is not possible to systematically quantify those benefits to a constituency level. The difficulties of such geographical analyses are set out by the Office of National Statistics at the following address: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/ geography/default.asp. The following information may help provide a "word picture" of the way Defra's work benefits West Dorset. The Environment Agency has been active on the ground in West Dorset dealing with water quality problems. This work has been part of the "Cycleau Project", a European Interreg IIIB funded project that aims to: Find innovative ways of managing and improving the water environment. Share knowledge and experience of water management. Involve local communities in the management of local rivers. More details are on the website. www.cycleau.com In West Dorset most of the activity has been in the River Char catchment area (upstream of Charmouth). The Environment Agency is the lead partner with FWAG delivering advice and grant aid. The main concern has been to ensure that the beach at Charmouth meets its Bathing Water standards with failures in the past resulting from diffuse farm pollution. There are about 35 farms in the Char catchment and so far about 20 farmers have been involved in the project. Funding is £70,000 over three years, up to 2006 West Dorset forms part of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and as such is supported by Defra (through the Countryside Agency) for core funding. Core funding since 2002 has been £574,200 that is further enhanced by contributions from all the district authorities and the county council. Defra has supported Leader+ through the Dorset Chalk and Cheese programme, and awarded £1,217,456 EU and £591,558 Defra funding, to run a six year community based programme (2000-06), in parts of rural West Dorset. The Voluntary and Community Sector in Dorset has benefited from joint funding with the Home Office through the Capacity Building and Infrastructure Strategy Programme. The rural preparatory programme to June 2004 awarded £20,000 to Churches Together in Dorset (CTD), Dorset Community Action (DCA) and Dorset Race Equality Council and sought primarily to: Build a broader consortium of rural partners, and develop Vision" for closer collaboration in the longer term. Develop a "Countywide Investment Plan" for Voluntary Sector Infrastructure The Change Up programme that follows on from this will see Defra and the Home Office supporting a Dorset Consortia to continue with this work and West Dorset is sure to benefit. The England Rural Development Programme has supported a number of grants in West Dorset for Vocational Training Schemes, for example training farm staff and on organic skills. Processing and Marketing grants of £105,577 were given to support farms and food processing plants. The Rural Enterprise Scheme gave grants of £466,671 to support rural businesses including a livery stable, equatic centre and food processing plant. In terms of specific payments we have been able to isolate expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy and a list of payments by constituency is available in the Library of the House following the answer I gave to the hon Member for Knowsley North and Sefton East, (Mr. Howarth) on 4 April 2005, Official Report, columns 1149-1150W. It is noted in these figures that payments to customers are reported on the basis of requested business address which may differ from the location of farming activity: Common Agricultural Policy Payments to farm based schemes in the West Dorset constituency for the 2004 European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) accounting year which ran from 16 October 2003 to 15 October 2004 amount to £9,929,067.25 The schemes included are the Arable Area Payment, Beef Special Premium, Suckler Cow Premium, Extensification Premium, Slaughter Premium, Sheep Annual Premium, Over Thirty Months Slaughter, England Rural Development Programme and Structural Funds (which are monies made available by EAGGF to contribute to the economic development of disadvantaged regions within Europe).

Subjects

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government department; Policy; Dorset

Date

7 April 2005

Reference

432 c1653-4W;432 c1648-50W; 215978

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to Chorley constituency, the effect of her Department's policies and actions on Chorley constituency since 1997.

Asked by

Lindsay Hoyle (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

8 February 2005

For answer on

7 April 2005

Answered on

7 April 2005

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 0if she will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to Chorley constituency, the effect of her Department's policies and actions on Chorley constituency since 1997. [216194] Alun Michael: Defra publishes a wide range of statistical information relating to its policies and actions and the following web address will take you directly to the service: http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/default. asp. In addition the Office of National Statistics also publishes further information that you can access from its website: http://www.statistics.gov.uk Since its establishment in 2001 Defra has put in place a comprehensive programme of action on issues including sustainable development, climate change and energy, sustainable consumption and production, natural resource protection, sustainable rural communities, and a sustainable farming and food sector. I am confident that the Chorley constituency will have benefited from these but it is not possible to systematically quantify those benefits to a constituency level. The difficulties of such geographical analyses are set out by the Office of National Statistics at the following address: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/ geography/default.asp. The following information may help provide a "word picture" of the way Defra's work benefits Chorley. Through our national strategy for waste we are committed to deliver a step change to more sustainable waste management, including tough national targets to recycle or compost 17 per cent. of household waste by 2003-04 and 25 per cent. by 2005-06. Defra has, since its establishment in 2001, set up a number of funding mechanisms to help local authorities achieve their targets. As a result of allocations from these funds the residents of Chorley should, over the next few years, reap the benefits. Since 2001 a total of £1,016,646 has been awarded to the borough to expand kerbside recycling schemes. In March 2005 we announced Lancashire as one of eight rural pathfinders in England. The pathfinder initiative is a key part of the Government's Rural Strategy and reflects the Government's commitment to devolve decision-making and resources to the local level. The Lancashire rural pathfinder will ensure greater co-ordination of rural delivery programmes testing new and innovative methods to bring about improvements in the delivery of services to rural communities and businesses. In terms of specific payments we have been able to isolate expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy and a list of payments by constituency is available in the Library of the House following the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Knowsley North and Sefton East, (Mr. Howarth) on 4 April 2005, Official Report, columns 1149-50W. It is noted in these figures that payments to customers are reported on the basis of requested business address which may differ from the location of farming activity. Common Agricultural Policy Payments to farm based schemes in the Chorley constituency for the 2004 European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) accounting year which ran from 16 October 2003 to 15 October 2004 amount to £1,207,777.07. The schemes included are the Arable Area Payment, Beef Special Premium, Suckler Cow Premium, Extensification Premium, Slaughter Premium, Sheep Annual Premium, Over Thirty Months Slaughter, England Rural Development Programme and Structural Funds (which are monies made available by EAGGF to contribute to the economic development of disadvantaged regions within Europe).

Subjects

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government department; Policy; Chorley

Date

7 April 2005

Reference

432 c1651-3W;432 c1647-8W; 216194

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of her Department's actions and policies on Blackpool South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

Asked by

Gordon Marsden (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

7 February 2005

For answer on

7 April 2005

Answered on

7 April 2005

Mr. Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of her Department's actions and policies on Blackpool, South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001. [215748] Alun Michael: Defra publishes a wide range of statistical information relating to its policies and actions and the following web address will take my hon. Friend directly to the service: http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/ default.asp. In addition the Office for National Statistics also publishes further information that you can access from its website: http:// www.statistics.gov.uk. Since its establishment in 2001 Defra has put in place a comprehensive programme of action on issues including sustainable development, climate change and energy, sustainable consumption and production, natural resource protection, sustainable rural communities, and a sustainable farming and food sector. I am confident that the Blackpool, South constituency will have benefited from these but it is not possible to systematically quantify those benefits to a constituency level. The difficulties of such geographical analyses are set out by the Office for National Statistics at the following address: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/ geography/default.asp. The following information may help provide a "word picture" of the way Defra's work benefits Blackpool, South. Through our national strategy for waste we are committed to deliver a step change to more sustainable waste management, including tough national targets to recycle or compost 17 per cent. of household waste by 2003-04 and 25 per cent. by 2005-06. Defra has, since its establishment in 2001, set up a number of funding mechanisms to help local authorities achieve their targets. It is not possible to be specific as to how successful the Blackpool, South constituency has been in obtaining some of the available funding. However, as a result of allocations from these funds, the residents of the borough of Blackpool should, over the next few years, reap the benefits. Since 2001 a total of £1,106,836 has been awarded to the borough to expand kerbside recycling schemes. Defra has overall policy responsibility for flood .and coastal erosion risk in England and funds most of the activities of the Environment Agency (EA) in this area. Defra also provides grant aid on a project-by-project basis to the other flood and coastal defence operating authorities (local authorities and internal drainage boards) to support their investment in improvement works. Improvement projects funded by Defra, including those of the EA, must meet specified economic, technical and environmental criteria and achieve an appropriate "priority score" to be eligible for funding. Defra does not build defences, nor direct the authorities on what specific projects to carry out. The works programme to manage risk is driven by the operating authorities. Details of Defra grant aid paid to Blackpool borough council for coast protection works carried out under the Coast Protection Act from 1997 to date are: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. £ 1997 3,246,295 1998 5,333,593 1999 2,693,727 2000 6,320,596 2001 1,295,302 2002 1,850,269 2003 1,128,269 2004 400,873 2005 670,003 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. In terms of specific payments we have been able to isolate expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy and a list of payments by constituency is available in the Library of the House following the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth) on 4 April 2005, Official Report, columns 1149-50W. It is noted in these figures that payments to customers are reported on the basis of requested business address which may differ from the location of farming activity. Common Agricultural Policy Payments to farm based schemes in the Blackpool, South constituency for the 2004 European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) accounting year which ran from 16 October 2003 to 15 October 2004 amount to £4,426.59 The schemes included are the Arable Area Payment, Beef Special Premium, Suckler Cow Premium, Exfensification Premium, Slaughter Premium, Sheep Annual Premium, Over Thirty Months Slaughter, England Rural Development Programme and Structural Funds (which are monies made available by EAGGF to contribute to the economic development of disadvantaged regions within Europe).

Subjects

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government department; Policy; Blackpool

Date

7 April 2005

Reference

432 c1650-1W;432 c1645-7W; 215748

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out, with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to the Coventry South constituency, the effects in Coventry South of changes to her Department's policies since 1997.

Asked by

Jim Cunningham (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

28 February 2005

For answer on

7 April 2005

Answered on

7 April 2005

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out, with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to the Coventry, South constituency, the effects in Coventry South of changes to her Department's policies since 1997. [219691] Alun Michael: Defra publishes a wide range of statistical information relating to its policies and actions and the following web address will take you directly to the service: http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/default. asp. In addition, the Office of National Statistics also publishes further information that you can access from its website: http://www.statistics.gov.uk Since its establishment in 2001 Defra has put in place a comprehensive programme of action on issues including sustainable development, climate change and energy, sustainable consumption and production, natural resource protection, sustainable rural communities, and a sustainable farming and food sector. I am confident that the Coventry South constituency will have benefited from these but it is not possible to systematically quantify those benefits to a constituency level. The difficulties of such geographical analyses are set out by the Office of National Statistics at the following address: http:// www.statistics.gov.uk/geography/default.asp. The following information may help provide a "word picture" of the way Defra's work benefits Coventry South. Through our national strategy for waste we are committed to delivering a step change to more sustainable waste management, including tough national targets to recycle or compost 17 per cent. of household waste by 2003-04 and 25 per cent. by 2005-06. Since 2001, Defra has established a number of funding mechanisms to help local authorities achieve their targets. As a result of allocations from these funds the residents of Coventry South should reap the benefits over the next few years. The main source of funding for Coventry city council's waste management services, as for all local authorities, is through the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services (EPCS) block of annual Government grant. It is for the local authority to decide what proportion of the block is invested in waste management, including recycling, services. Coventry city council has also been allocated the following additional funding and support: £1,450,000 through the National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund over the period 2002-03 to 2003-04 for kerbside collection of green waste and paper; £84,026 from Defra to relieve spending pressures on waste in 2004-05; and £240,478 through the Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant in 2005-06. In terms of specific payments we have been able to isolate expenditure under the common agricultural policy and a list of payments by constituency is available in the Library of the House following the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Knowsley North and Sefton East (Mr. Howarth) on 4 April 2005, Official Report, columns 1149-50W. It is noted in these figures that payments to customers are reported on the basis of requested business address which may differ from the location of farming activity. Common Agricultural Policy Payments to farm-based schemes in the Coventry South constituency for the 2004 European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) accounting year which ran from 16 October 2003 to 15 October 2004 amount to £23,147.13. The schemes included are the Arable Area Payment, Beef Special Premium, Suckler Cow Premium, Extensification Premium, Slaughter Premium, Sheep Annual Premium, Over Thirty Months Slaughter, England Rural Development Programme and Structural Funds (which are monies made available by EAGGF to contribute to the economic development of disadvantaged regions within Europe).

Subjects

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government department; Policy; Coventry

Date

7 April 2005

Reference

432 c1648-50W;432 c1644-5W; 219691

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much milk was produced in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley in each of the last three years; and how much was (i) sold as milk and (ii) processed for cheese in each case.

Asked by

Lindsay Hoyle (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

21 March 2005

For answer on

6 April 2005

Answered on

6 April 2005

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much milk was produced in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley in each of the last three years; and how much was (i) sold as milk and (ii) processed for cheese in each case. [223794] Alun Michael: Precise estimates of milk production in Lancashire and Chorley are not readily available. The milk production figures given in the table provide broad estimates based on multiplying the average UK milk yield per cow by the number of cows in the specified region. The cow numbers for 2004 are not yet available. Milk utilisation figures are only available at national level. Therefore the proportion of milk produced in Lancashire and Chorley sold as liquid milk and processed for cheese is not available. Estimated milk production _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Region Number of dairy cows Average yield per cow (UK) Estimated milk production m/ litres litres 2003 -- 6,634 -- Lancashire CC1 77,145 -- 512 Chorley 4,429 -- 29 2002 -- 6,494 -- Lancashire CC1 78,498 -- 521 Chorley 4,628 -- 31 2001 -- 6,346 -- Lancashire CC1 83,402 -- 553 Chorley 4,748 -- 31 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 The figures for Lancashire CC includes Chorley, but excludes Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool.

Subjects

Dairy products; Milk; Lancashire

Date

6 April 2005

Reference

432 c1528W;432 c1524W; 223794

House

House of Commons

Dept of Health

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether her Department issues general guidance and advice to local authorities in respect of (a) meals on wheels and (b) other public provision of food.

Asked by

Paul Flynn (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Health

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

22 March 2005

For answer on

5 April 2005

Answered on

5 April 2005

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether her Department issues general guidance and advice to local authorities in respect of (a) meals on wheels and (b) other public provision of food. [223953] Dr. Ladyman: I have been asked to reply. The Department does not issue guidance or general advice to local authorities in respect of meals on wheels. This is a matter for local decision and commissioning, taking into account local circumstances and demography. The Department has just launched the food in schools toolkit to provide guidance and support for schools and those working with schools, including local education authorities (LEAs), in implementing a `whole school approach' to healthy eating and drinking. In addition, the Department issues guidance to LEA maintained schools on implementing the school fruit and vegetable scheme. Funding for the scheme for 2005-06 is £46 million. The welfare food scheme (WFS) currently provides tokens for either seven pints of liquid cow's milk or 900 grams of infant formula per week to pregnant women and children under five years old in families on qualifying benefits. "Healthy Start" will replace the existing WFS and will be phased in from summer 2005. We expect that "Healthy Start" expenditure should continue at a similar level to the WFS. The budget is demand-led and current welfare food expenditure is approximately £140 million per annum.

Subjects

Food; Local government; Nutrition; School; Welfare foods; Meals on wheels

Date

5 April 2005

Reference

432 c1341W;432 c1337W; 223953

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what changes took place in the average sale prices at markets of (a) sheep and (b) cattle between February and October 2001.

Asked by

Paul Flynn (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

22 March 2005

For answer on

5 April 2005

Answered on

5 April 2005

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes took place in the average sale prices at markets of (a) sheep and (b) cattle between February and October 2001. [223859] Alun Michael: Average sale prices at markets for (a) sheep and (b) cattle are available for part of February 2001 before the markets need to close down due to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. No prices are available between March and October 2001, as the livestock markets remained closed until February 2002. The following tables give average sheep and cattle prices for February 2001. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Cattle prices for February 2001 1st quality 2nd quality Type/breed Average price £ per Number sold Average price £ per Number sold head head Rearing calves: Friesian/Holstein Bulls 29.06 655 11.76 1356 Heifers 71.05 20 28 34 Other dairy breeds Bulls 56.75 12 13.23 30 Heifers 42 2 11 18 Hereford Bulls 77.43 169 38.07 287 Hereford cross Heifers 24.2 107 10.73 244 Charolais cross Bulls 142.15 263 91.22 258 Charolais cross Heifers 37.49 177 17.66 270 Limousin Bulls 127 435 64.91 734 Limousin cross Heifers 41.12 220 15.17 635 Simmental Bulls 137.95 317 86.49 460 Simmental cross Heifers 40.5 194 18.26 376 Belgian blue cross Bulls 139.96 371 88.8 435 Belgian blue Heifers 52.14 239 24.56 433 Other continental Bulls 103.75 44 65.69 42 Other continental cross 24.8 20 13.98 48 Other beef Bulls 76.06 129 28.7 220 Other beef cross Heifers 30.42 26 11.78 192 Store Cattle: Friesian Holstein yearlings Steers 258.06 155 176.89 202 Heifers -- -- 76.44 9 18 months old Steers 300.58 144 239.2 102 Heifers 368.11 19 268.89 19 2 years old Steers 367.71 122 303.22 68 Heifers 364.67 18 300.4 5 Other dairy breeds: Yearlings Steers 352 5 57.2 5 Heifers 285 1 170 1 18 months old Steers 381 2 375.75 4 Heifers 287 2 190 6 2 years old Steers 515 1 395 1 Heifers 408 2 210 2 Hereford/Hereford cross: Yearlings Steers 277.22 204 234.38 52 Heifers 172.75 67 133.4 40 18 months old Steers 364.05 92 336.25 116 Heifers 276.02 94 204.52 50 2 years old Steers 421.89 70 330.84 38 Heifers 321.1 30 193.27 11 Charolais/Charolais cross: Yearlings Steers 400.78 437 337 211 Heifers 262.36 420 192.48 231 18 months old Steers 486.73 683 387.67 362 Heifers 382 533 300.65 309 2 years old Steers 516.06 325 436.3 100 Heifers 395.15 105 332.33 24 Limousin/Limousin cross: Yearlings Steers 415.75 653 349.95 441 Heifers 314.31 569 232.2 653 18 months old Steers 489.01 877 422.68 489 Heifers 401.43 654 313.59 452 2 years old Steers 538.56 314 439.99 83 Heifers 418.4 168 333.67 81 Simmental/Simmental cross: Yearlings Steers 332.19 249 287.97 197 Heifers 204.58 175 165.6 131 18 months old Steers 456.23 370 390.58 269 Heifers 343.74 315 281.59 194 2 years old Steers 490.23 256 407.32 144 Heifers 375.45 64 333.63 70 Belgian blue/Belgian blue cross: Yearlings Steers 374.34 95 262.8 91 Heifers 284.3 84 249.99 113 18 months old Steers 454.6 119 357.53 47 Heifers 370.79 71 331.57 60 2 years old Steers 457.63 59 429.67 15 Heifers 400.74 50 295 8 Other Continental/other Continental cross: Yearlings Steers 401.49 180 346.33 108 Heifers 297.88 147 217.78 137 18 months old Steers 491.96 189 393.92 171 Heifers 406.97 165 326.74 114 2 years old Steers 471.88 50 390.22 37 Heifers 426.9 10 336 10 Other beef/other beef cross: Yearlings Steers 322 100 232.87 46 Heifers 202.45 77 126.25 60 18 months old Steers 408.56 128 322.68 73 Heifers 280.05 56 238.35 26 2 years old Steers 464.26 39 400.95 44 Heifers 349.61 23 267.83 12 Other beef/other beef cross: Yearlings Steers 267.33 15 228 1 Heifers 120.13 16 70.36 11 18 months old Steers 374.69 26 271.28 32 Heifers 207.89 19 182 8 2 years old Steers 473 19 333.5 4 Heifers 317.33 3 282 1 Barreners (£ per head): Barreners Dairy -- -- -- -- Barreners Beef -- -- -- -- Dairy Breeds -- -- -- -- Beef Breeds -- -- -- -- Dairy cattle--Friesan/Holstein Cows in milk 684.79 327 545.51 250 Cows in calf 608.17 12 382.5 6 1st calving cows in milk 682.31 448 560.68 358 Down calving heifers 529.95 37 405.52 25 Other dairy breeds: Cows in Milk 511.25 4 380 2 Cows in Calf -- -- 330 1 1st calving cows in milk 493.33 3 210 1 Down calving heifers -- -- -- -- _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Sheep prices for February 2001 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1st quality 2nd quality Average £ price per head Number sold Average price per head Number sold Store sheep Hoggs, Hoggets and Tegs 39.88 7875 25.61 8536 Lambs 27.19 151 17.65 129 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Source: Defra

Subjects

Cattle; Livestock; Market; Price; Sales; Sheep

Date

5 April 2005

Reference

432 c1360-4W;432 c1356-60W; 223859

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much was paid under the Common Agricultural Policy to farmers in each (a) constituency, (b) county and (c) region of England in the last period for which figures are available.

Asked by

George Howarth (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

4 April 2005

Reference

432 c1149-50W; 213156

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what his estimate of the profitability of the (a) dairy, (b) beef, (c) pig and (d) poultry sectors of farming in the Province was in the last year for which figures are available.

Asked by

David Burnside (Ulster Unionist Party)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

23 March 2005

Reference

432 c807W; 223164

House

House of Commons

SUPPORT FOR QUALITY BRITISH FOODS

That this House believes that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' withdrawal of support for a campaign to promote quality food because it believes the images used, particularly that of a cow called 'Daisy', may be seen as too 'British', is political correctness gone mad; and calls on...

Primary sponsor

Bob Spink (Conservative)

Type

Early day motion

Date

21 March 2005

Reference

967

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dairy herds had an average size of (a) less than 20, (b) 21to 40, (c) 41 to 60, (d) 61 to 80, (e) 81 to 100, (f) 101 to 120, (g) 120 to 140, (h) 141...

Asked by

David Drew (Labour; Cooperative Party)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

24 February 2005

For answer on

3 March 2005

Answered on

3 March 2005

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many dairy herds had an average size of (a) less than 20, (b) 21to 40, (c) 41 to 60, (d) 61 to 80, (e) 81 to 100, (f) 101 to 120, (g) 120 to 140, (h) 141 to 160, (i) 161 to 180, (j) 181 to 200 and (k) more than 200 in (i) 1995, (ii) 2000 and (iii) the last year for which figures are available. [219310] Alun Michael: The figures in the table show dairy herd and holding numbers in England by dairy cow size group in (i) 1995, (ii) 2000 and (iii) 2003. The dairy herd are all cows and heifers that have calved and including cows in calf, cows in milk and cull cows. Dairy cows in England by dairy cow size group in (i) 1995, (ii) 2000 and (iii) 2003 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Holdings Dairy Cattle Average herd size (i) 1995 0: <ñ20 2,963 27,021 9 20: <ñ40 4,033 121,984 30 40: <ñ60 4,868 237,568 49 60: <ñ80 3,972 273,603 69 80: <ñ100 2,993 265,273 89 100: <ñ120 2,029 219,785 108 120: <ñ140 1,319 169,267 128 140: <ñ160 875 129,718 148 160: <ñ180 526 88,528 168 180: <ñ200 334 62,912 188 200 and over 766 213,623 279 Total 24,678 1,809,282 73 (ii) 2000 0: <ñ20 3,060 18,493 6 20: <ñ40 2,511 76,371 30 40: <ñ60 3,269 160,974 49 60: <ñ80 3,064 211,324 69 80: <ñ100 2,417 214,458 89 100: <ñ120 1,785 194,020 109 120: <ñ140 1,271 163,015 128 140: <ñ160 872 129,178 148 160: <ñ180 588 98,811 168 180: <ñ200 393 74,202 189 200 and over 864 234,474 271 Total 20,094 1,575,320 78 (iii) 2003 0: <ñ20 2,404 17,073 7 20: <ñ40 1,739 65,185 37 40: <ñ60 2,505 137,125 55 60: <ñ80 2,333 173,823 75 80: <ñ100 1,836 172,989 94 100: <ñ120 1,411 159,952 113 120: <ñ140 1,089 143,971 132 140: <ñ160 807 122,970 152 160: <ñ180 546 94,068 172 180: <ñ200 393 75,669 192 200 and over 964 271,902 282 Total 16,027 1,434,727 90 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Notes: (a) Figures prior to 2000 are for main holdings only, from 2000 onwards main and minor are included. A holding is defined as minor if it meets all of the following conditions: 1. the total area is less than 6 hecatres 2. the labour requirement is estimated to be less than 100 standard person-days 3. there is no regular full-time farmer or worker 4. the glasshouse area is less than 100 square metres 5. the occupier does not farm another holding Source: June Agricultural Census

Subjects

Cattle; Dairy farming; Livestock

Date

3 March 2005

Reference

219310; 431 c1280-1W;431 c1274-5W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which body is responsible in the event of flooding in a watercourse for which an internal drainage board is responsible (a) before 2006 and (b) after 2006; and if she will make a statement.

Asked by

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

8 February 2005

For answer on

1 March 2005

Answered on

1 March 2005

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which body is responsible in the event of flooding in a watercourse for which an internal drainage board is responsible (a) before 2006 and (b) after 2006; and if she will make a statement. [216008] Mr. Morley: All watercourses effectively fall into one of two categories: (a) main rivers which are the responsibility of the Environment Agency and (b) ordinary watercourses which are the responsibility of local authorities or, where they exist, internal drainage boards. Recognising that some ordinary watercourses create significant flood risk, in March 2003 the Government announced that all the so called "critical" ordinary watercourses (COWs) would become the responsibility of the Environment Agency (EA). This transfer of responsibility is in progress and will be completed by April 2006. Once a COW has been transferred, it becomes a main river and the EA assumes full responsibility for all associated flood risk management and for dealing with any flooding from it. However, all other ordinary watercourses will remain the responsibility of the local authority or internal drainage board. While the EA will retain the overall responsibility for the transferred COWs, they may decide to contract back maintenance and other work to the appropriate local authority or IDB where these bodies are willing to take this on and have a good track record.

Subjects

Flood control; Environment Agency; Flood; Local government; Rivers; Risk management

Date

1 March 2005

Reference

216008; 431 c1038W;431 c1034-5W

House

House of Commons

Agricultural Census data for English constituencies

Agricultural Census data for English constituencies. By Paul Bolton. SN/SG/3361.

Type

Commons Briefing paper

Date

10 February 2005

Reference

SN03361

Untitled Oral question

Supplementary on bovine tuberculosis and the production pressure placed on dairy cows.

Asked by

Lord Pilkington of Oxenford (Conservative)

Oral question - 1st Supplementary

Status

Answered

Date

26 January 2005

Reference

668 c1261

House

House of Lords