Chamber and committees

The resources granted to agri-environment schemes in 1998-99 were £12.602 million and £18.641 million in 1999-2000. Provision is £20.167 million for 2000-01 and £21.467 million is available for 2001-02. There have been no changes to the planned level of support since 1 July 1999.

Under section 17 of the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency may issue licences for the abstraction of water for irrigation from inland or ground waters in an area to which a control order applies under section 15 of that Act. We expect to develop future abstraction control policy in the light of the proposed EC Water Framework Directive which is presently before the European Parliament.

Work is in hand on proposals to commence section 24 of the Environment Act and to make ancillary provision. This will make it necessary for persons proposing to carry out certain drainage works to consult the Scottish Environment Protection Agency about precautions to prevent pollution to controlled waters and, in carrying out such works, to take account of SEPA's views.

There are none employed directly. However, the Scottish Energy Efficiency Office, the body responsible for the promotion of energy efficiency within the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department, buys in a wide range of engineering support through its participation in the Government's Best Practice Programme. This Programme provides the public and private sectors with access to consultancy advice including advice from qualified engineers.In addition my Department liaise very closely on energy matters with the Rural Affairs Department, where the Climate Change Team employs two Chartered Engineers.

The Scottish Energy Efficiency Office is tasked with the encouragement of energy efficiency across the private and public sectors in Scotland. It does this by delivering, either on its own or through third parties such as local enterprise companies, the advice and technical information available through the UK Government's Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme. It also works closely with the Scottish office of the Energy Saving Trust and recently launched with the Trust a Loan Action Scotland scheme of interest free loans for energy efficiency improvements in small businesses, which is expected to save around 1.8kts of carbon per year.

Payment rates for agri-environment schemes are based on income foregone in accordance with EC Regulation (EEC) No. 2078/92. These are higher in the more intensively farmed and productive areas of England where the cost of complying with the relevant requirements is greater.

No. We have recently announced increased rates of aid and all eligible applications for 1999-2000 will be funded.

Detailed advice for Scottish farmers wishing to convert to organic farming is available from a wide range of sources, including the Scottish Agricultural College Advisory Services. The initial telephone contact funded by the Department at SAC is intended to enable farmers to be directed towards the most suitable sources of advice for their particular needs. This may include relevant literature being sent to the farmer free of charge or a recommendation to have an individual on-farm visit, although farmers are expected to pay for the visits. Where the advice is of direct commercial benefit for individual farmers' businesses, it is considered appropriate for them to be charged for it, as they would be if they sought such advice from private consultants. In addition, SAC is funded by the Department to hold organic farming awareness meetings and demonstrations for farmers and crofters.

Applications to enter the Organic Aid Scheme may be made throughout the year. Applicants are required to stipulate the date when they intend to start the conversion process. These arrangements were supported by the organic sector bodies prior to launch of the Scheme in Scotland in 1994 because it enabled the necessary sector body inspections to be carried out during a quieter farming period.

Invitations have been sent to several non-governmental organisations to attend the event in Scotland House.