HC Deb 25 May 1966 vol 729 cc445-6
4. Mr. Kitson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of the national beef herd of suckler cows will receive the £6 10s. grant in full; and if he will make a statement.

19. Mr. Ridley

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now give all the conditions attached to the payment of the £6 10s. beef cow subsidy.

Mr. John Mackie

About half the national beef herd gets hill cow subsidy and therefore will not get the new beef cow subsidy. All other herds will be eligible, and after stocking and milk tests have been applied, we estimate that about three-quarters of the cows will qualify for payment. Detailed arrangements for the new subsidy will be announced as soon as possible.

Mr. Kitson

Does that mean that three-quarters of them will get the full payment? Is it not about time that we saw this scheme so that the agricultural industry knew where it stood in the matter?

Mr. Mackie

It does mean that three-quarters of them will get the full payment. I think that the industry is perfectly aware that discussions are going on with all concerned. We will announce the details in due course.

Mr. Ridley

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that this scheme was announced in the Price Review as applying to all cows but that now these limits have reduced it to three-quarters of the cows only? Will he expedite the publication of the scheme so that farmers may know where they stand?

Mr. Mackie

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Godber

Could the Parliamentary Secretary tell us a little more about this matter, particularly in the case of, say, a farm which has not only beef cattle but a flock of sheep as well? How are the arrangements in regard to the allocation of grazing as between the two to be fair to all the farmers concerned?

Mr. Mackie

These are the sort of arrangements which we are discussing with the industry.

Mr. Monro

Would the hon. Gentleman say whether cows of the dairy breeds now suckling beef calves will rate for the subsidy?

Mr. Mackie

Subsidy will be given up to a certain stocking limit and up to a certain level of milk sales per cow.