To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on conversion payments for organic farmers; and whether he has any proposals for paying farmers for organic management.

Organic farmers and those converting from non-organic to organic methods of farming can receive assistance under various MAFF grants including the farm and conservation grant scheme, nitrate-sensitive areas scheme and the set-aside scheme.It is hoped that the European Commission's proposals for agriculture and the environment will provide a means whereby direct assistance could be given to existing organic farmers and those wishing to convert.