HC Deb 21 May 1981 vol 5 cc402-3
2. Mr. Foulkes

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what help he proposes for farmers affected by the April snowfall.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Peter Walker)

The farmers unions have made an application to the European Commission for special assistance. The Government are helping this application by providing necessary information to the Commission, and I hope that it will be dealt with quickly and sympathetically. In addition, the advisory service will do all that it can to assist farmers and I have asked for capital grant applications arising from storm damage to be given priority treatment.

Mr. Foulkes

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many farmers are deeply concerned that the effects of the April snowfall have been underestimated, and that some farmers, often in marginal areas where they are already suffering from other difficulties, have lost hundreds of lambs? When does the right hon. Gentleman expect that those farmers will hear from the European Community about their applications?

Mr. Walker

I had a word at last week's Council of Ministers meeting with the Commissioner, who is aware of the problem and has promised to consider it speedily. The funds available in this sphere are fairly limited, but I hope that decisions will be made quickly.

Mr. Farr

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that some of the worst-hit parts of the country were in the East Midlands, where some areas were cut off from electricity for four or five days and many lambs were lost and agricultural crops damaged? Will he consider whether he ought to do something for that part of the country?

Mr. Walker

I am aware of the bad flood damage in parts of the East Midlands. The NFUs have given evidence of that in their submissions to the European Commission. We have provided all the information available to us and my staff in the region have been giving all the help that they can.

Mr. Beith

Is the Minister aware that the effects of the snowfall were particularly severe in Northumberland, where the lambing season is later than in many other parts of England? Consequently, many young lambs were lost. Will the right hon. Gentleman take that into account?

Mr. Walker

The effect of climatic conditions on sectors of agriculture has, alas, always been one of the hazards of the industry, in the same way as good climatic conditions have been one of the benefits. Disastrous effects were suffered by farming communities in some areas, and we are doing all that we can to help.

Mr. Maclennan

In the light of the right hon. Gentleman's warning that the assistance available from the Commission may prove inadequate, what steps are open to the Government to make good the financial losses that have been incurred?

Mr. Walker

There is an element of disaster, particularly in the East Midlands and in one or two areas of late lambing, but it has been agreed by successive Governments, correctly in my view, that one cannot compensate for bad weather conditions. If one did that, it might be necessary to claw back the benefits during good weather. There is a balance of effect. The Commission has a fund, albeit small, for helping with such problems, and the NFUs have rightly made a submission to the Commission.

Mr. Michael Brown

Following on from that, is my right hon. Friend aware that many farmers in the Vale of Ancholme to the south of Brigg in my constituency lost all their crops? As many farm fewer than 100 acres, they will have lost their livelihoods unless some help is forthcoming.

Mr. Walker

I am aware of the problems in my hon. Friend's constituency. He has been active in bringing them to our attention. We are giving all possible help, in terms of grants and advice on how to replant quickly in such areas, but no Minister of Agriculture can compensate specific farms for adverse weather conditions. The NFU once considered the possibility of setting up a disaster fund, as a sort of insurance policy, but I understand that the majority of Members were against it.