To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will include mussel farming as an approved measure under the agricultural business improvement scheme. [82533]

The legislation governing the Agricultural Business Improvement Scheme was recently amended following suggestions from industry representatives and detailed negotiations with the European Commission. Mussel farming was not raised in those discussions and there are no plans to include it as an approved measure. The Scheme closes to grant applications on 31 October 1999.From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.