asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what Government assistance is available for the encouragement of deer farming in England and Wales.

My right hon. Friend the Minister and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales can make grants available to deer farmers under the capital grants schemes provided that they conform to the statutory and other rules of those schemes and that the deer are kept solely for the production of food, skins or fur and in a similar manner as other domestic farm animals.