To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the statement of 8 October, Official Report, column 40, on foot and mouth/bluetongue, from what budget the £12.5 million assistance package will be drawn; and what proportion of this funding had been committed elsewhere previously. (158806)

All expenditure relating to the foot and mouth disease and bluetongue outbreaks in 2007, including the £12.5 million assistance package, is being funded from within DEFRA's budget. DEFRA will manage these costs, as for all other in-year pressures, within the overall budget allocated to it and will be reviewing priorities accordingly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) from which of his Department’s budget headings the funding for the package of support measures for English farmers announced on 8 October will be provided; (159687)

DEFRA will cover the cost of the package of support measures, as for all other in-year pressures, within the overall budget allocated to it and will be reviewing priorities accordingly.