I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
Funding is available from my Department to farmers and growers to convert to organic farming or to maintain organic methods of production. This funding is available through the rural environment protection scheme.
Under the REP scheme farmers, engaged in organic farming, are eligible to receive additional payments on top of the basic REPS payment of 125 ECU per ha. per annum. The rates of payment vary depending on the size of holding and the stage of organic status reached. The annual additional rates are as follows:
Applicants with more than 3 hectares of utilisable agricultural area:
in conversion status: 150 ECU per ha. for a maximum of 40 hectares.
full organic status: 75 ECU per ha. for a maxiumu of 40 hectares.
Applicants farming up to 3 hectares with at least 1.0 ha under fruit or vegatables:
in conversion status: 200 ECU per ha. up to a maximum of 3 hectares.
full organic status: 100 ECU per ha. up to a maximum of 3 hectares.
Farmers converting to organic farming methods are therefore eligible to receive a minimum of £1,150 per hectare, over a five year term, between the basic REPS payment and the organic supplementary measure.
To date some £2.75 million has been paid to 411 farmers who availed of the basic REPS payment plus the organic supplementary measure and I consider this a very good response to the measure.
In relation to the United Kingdom, I understand that a payment of £450 per hectare is made spread over a five year period of participation in its organic aid scheme.
