To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Answer by Lord Rooker on 18 June 2007 (Official Report, House of Lords, col. 7), whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is on target to save farmers £3 million by 2009-10; and how those savings will be achieved. [HL5929]

The 2005 Whole Farm Approach business case was reviewed in 2008, and the estimate for savings expected by 2009-10 was revised downward from £3 million to £2 million to reflect lower than originally anticipated farmer take-up. The system is working well and receiving positive feedback from those farmers who use it.

The system is now providing online access to the cattle tracing scheme and access to the single payment scheme is scheduled to be available in 2010.

Taken together with other online services and a rapidly growing number of users, we expect the current review of the business case to confirm delivery of the forecast benefits and for further benefits to be identified.

Savings are achieved through prepopulated online forms, immediate validation, improved advice and guidance, and similar facilities which should make the online system quicker and easier for farmers and their agents to use. These savings will be reflected in the annual simplification plan, due to be published each December.