Agriculture: Farming Delivery Initiative

Baroness Byford
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the reductions in the budget for the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative from £10 million to around £8.6 million in 2006-07 and from £15 million to £13.2 million in 2007-08 are both part of the £200 million the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recently announced. [HL1263]

The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker)
Yes. These reductions have been made following the review of financial allocations conducted during the summer of 2006 to address cost pressures of approximately £200 million. This review was comprehensive in nature and has ensured that Defra’s funding across both years is placed where it can have the greatest impact.