Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of continued decline in the cider market on cider apple orchards and farmers who depend on them.

The department has not made a formal assessment of the impact of changes in demand for cider on cider apple orchards or the farmers who depend on them. A range of factors can affect the viability of orchards, including production costs, yields, market conditions and consumer demand. Defra continues to engage with stakeholders on issues relating to cider apple orchards and supports their management through agri-environment schemes and grants.