HC Deb 18 October 1989 vol 158 cc133-4
7. Sir Hector Monro

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last discussed with farming interests the sheep and beef sectors, with special reference to the hills and uplands; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rifkind

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I met the president, council members and senior office bearers of the Scottish National Farmers Union on 7 September. We discussed a wide range of issues of current concern including the state of livestock farming in the hills and uplands.

Sir Hector Monro

Does my right hon. and learned Friend accept that there is grave concern within the National Farmers Union and farming circles that there might be a reduction in EEC funding of the hill livestock compensatory allowance? Does he further agree that in the hills there really is no alternative to sheep and cattle production and that if the grant is reduced it will have serious repercussions on the rural economy?

Mr. Rifkind

I very much agree with my hon. Friend that the current proposal from the European Commission discriminates blatantly against the structure of hill farming in the United Kingdom, and we shall continue to oppose it in the negotiations in Brussels.

Mr. Maclennan

Does the Secretary of State recognise that measures to deal with budgetary problems in the CAP and structural surpluses are quite inappropriate if they remove from those in the hills and uplands their basic economy? Will he examine the possibility of strengthening measures for the regional development of those sparsely populated areas using agricultural techniques?

Mr. Rifkind

The hon. Gentleman will be the first to admit that structural surpluses are not healthy and need to be dealt with. I entirely endorse what the hon. Gentleman says about ensuring a system of support which recognises the particular nature of the agricultural economy in rural areas of Scotland. He will be aware that we have been successful in ensuring, through the Community, development programmes for the north of Scotland which have been widely welcomed and which are responsible for very important infrastructure improvements.

Mr. McAllion

Has the Secretary of State had discussions concerning another native species which is in great danger in Scotland? I refer, of course, to tigers, and in particular to the Tayside Tigers ice hockey team, so unjustifiably excluded from the premier league. Will the Minister join me in deploring that outrageous decision by the British Ice Hockey Association? Will he undertake to consult his colleagues about bringing pressure to bear on the association to reverse that decision?

Mr. Rifkind

This is not a matter which the Scottish National Farmers Union has yet thought appropriate to raise with me, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that my hon. Friend the relevant Minister will he looking into it.