To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding was allocated by his Department for agricultural research and development in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. (324236)

DEFRA funding of research on agriculture and food (including animal health and welfare) over the last three financial years is shown in the following table:

Figures for 2009-10 will not be available till after the end of the financial year but the expenditure is expected to be in the region of £64 million. This includes DEFRA's contribution to the new Technology Strategy Board (TSB), DEFRA and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council innovation platform for sustainable agriculture and food (SAF), which will invest up to £90 million over five years in match-funding for industry for agricultural research. The TSB contribution represents £50 million of additional sponsorship for the agricultural sector.