Spending Review 2002 : Statement by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
007/02
15 July 2002
"This is a good settlement which allows us to make progress on our priority areas.
It allows a positive response to the Curry Commission on the Future of Food and Farming, and the launch of a meaningful strategy for sustainable food and farming in the autumn. This includes trailblazing a "Broad and Shallow", entry level agri-environment scheme with full roll-out during 2005/6 following successful piloting from next year.
The Settlement recognises the need to prevent, control and manage the risk of animal disease, where we are driven by the memory of last year's outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease as well as the legacy of BSE. The additional resources provided will allow funding of a wide range of work on animal health issues drawing on the recommendations of the inquiries arising from last year's FMD outbreak, which will be published shortly. These measures will be set in the context of a comprehensive animal health and welfare strategy, as recommended by the Policy Commission. This will address ways in which the industry should bear its share of the costs of animal health controls.
Floods are a continuing concern, threatening life and damage to property. Spending on flood defences will continue growing at a high rate enabling us to put in place an expanded programme of flood defence construction, maintenance and improvements in flood warning systems.
The additional funding also allows the Department to provide the leadership necessary to deliver its rural affairs remit, working in partnership, with other government departments and agencies to improve the prosperity of rural areas and improving access to services.
The growth in waste and the need to find alternatives to landfill pose significant environmental challenges. The Performance and Innovation Unit is currently undertaking a wide ranging study into waste policy. Final decisions on additional resources will be taken when the conclusions of the PIU's review of waste policy are published in the Autumn.
To conclude, this represents a good settlement for DEFRA and provides the resources it needs to deliver on the Government's objectives."
Ends
Page published: 15 July 2002