As Fiona Train said (Letters, September 7), I am on the new Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee.
My first speech in Parliament in 1997 focused on the need for more environmentally-friendly farming policies and I know the committee will want to investigate support for organic farming.
Already, the Government has underway a seven-year, £140 million commitment to organic farming, providing grants to triple the area of land farmed organically by 2006. This year, the budget for organic farm conversions is £18 million.
Labour's £21 million a year spending on organic farming research and development puts the UK ahead of all other EU countries except Denmark. And a government grant of £2.3 million will start a new European centre for organic fruit and nursery stock in the UK.
-David Lepper, Labour and Co-operative MP for Brighton Pavilion
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article